July 4th Weekend Traffic Deaths Drop

This year’s 4th of July period proved to be a much safer one on Michigan roads than 2008’s was.

State police say 1 person died in a traffic accident over the Independence Day weekend statewide.

They say the victim was wearing a seat belt, and alcohol was not a factor in that crash.

This is a significant decrease from last year, when 14 people lost their lives on Michigan roads on the July 4th weekend.

The calendar didn’t play much of a role in the increase, if any.

It was pretty much a wash, since the 4th was a Saturday this year and a Friday last year.

There were 8 deaths in 2007, but that was considered an extra-long holiday period.

The 4th fell on a Wednesday that year, and the holiday period always includes a weekend.