Increase in holiday traffic fatalities over 4th of July

LANSING:   The Michigan State Police (MSP) today announced the results of preliminary reports that indicate 11 people lost their lives in 10 separate traffic crashes during the 2013 Fourth of July holiday weekend.  In comparison, 4 people died in traffic crashes during the 2012 Fourth of July holiday weekend.

Of the 11 fatalities, only eight people had restraints available to them; four were known to have used restraints, three did not use restraints and one was unknown.  Alcohol use was a known factor in one of the crashes, not a factor in six of the crashes and unknown in four of the crashes.  It should be noted that last year’s Fourth of July holiday was a two-day period, and this year’s was a five-day period.

“These numbers are preliminary and only reflect those fatalities reported to the MSP as of 11 a.m. Monday, July 8, 2013,” stated Capt. Kari Kusmierz, commander of the MSP Training Division.  “The preliminary numbers show an increase in fatalities from this same holiday period last year.  The MSP continues to urge motorists not to drink and drive, to always use proper restraints and to drive safely.”

The 2013 Fourth of July holiday weekend ran from 6 p.m. on Wednesday, July 3, through 11:59 p.m., on Sunday, July 7, 2013.