State Police report decrease in traffic fatalities during holiday weekend

LANSING, MI--The Michigan State Police (MSP) confirmed that preliminary reports indicate four people lost their lives in four separate traffic crashes during the 2011 July 4th holiday weekend. In comparison, eight people died in traffic crashes during the 2010 July 4th holiday weekend. One of the four victims was known to have not used restraints, and alcohol was a known factor in one of the four fatal crashes. ''These numbers are preliminary and only reflect those fatalities reported to the MSP as of 9:30 a.m. today,'' stated Capt. Harold J. Love, commander of the MSP Traffic Safety Division. ''The preliminary numbers show a decrease in fatalities from this same holiday period last year; however, the MSP continues to urge motorists to not drink and drive, to always use proper restraints and to drive safely.'' The 2011 July 4th holiday weekend ran from 6 p.m. on Friday, July 1, through midnight on Monday, July 4, 2011. Copyright © 2011 State of Michigan Published: Mon, Jul 11, 2011