Watch CBS News

Police Report Fewer Holiday Fatalities

LANSING (WWJ) - Michigan State Police say the fatality rate over this Independence Day weekend was 50 percent lower than last year's death rate.

Investigators said four people died on Michigan roadways over the long weekend. Eight people died in 2010.

Police said one of the four victims was not wearing a seat belt. They say alcohol was a factor in one of the crashes.

In a statement, Capt. Harold J. Love, commander of the MSP Traffic Safety Division said these are only preliminary numbers, adding," ... the MSP continues to urge motorists to not drink and drive, to always use proper restraints and to drive safely."

For the purposes of this report, the 2011 July 4th holiday weekend ran from 6 p.m. on Friday, July 1, through midnight on Monday, July 4, 2011.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.