FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
September 6, 2005

EAST LANSING:  Preliminary reports released by the Michigan Department of State Police today indicate that 10 people lost their lives in 10 separate traffic crashes during the 2005 Labor Day holiday weekend.  In comparison, 11 people died in traffic crashes during the 2004 Labor Day holiday period.

Of the 10 victim occupants killed, one was known to have been restrained by a safety belt and four were not applicable.  Alcohol was a known factor in two of the 10 fatal crashes.

“These numbers are preliminary and only reflect those fatalities reported to the Michigan State Police as of 11 a.m. today,” stated Capt. Daniel Atkinson, Commander, Field Operations Division, Michigan State Police.  “The preliminary numbers show that fewer people lost their lives on Michigan’s roads over the holiday weekend than did last year.  These numbers provide police officers and motorists alike a positive reminder that their hard work and dedication to traffic safety does save lives.”       

The 2005 Labor Day holiday weekend ran from 6 p.m. on Friday, September 2, through midnight, Monday, September 5, 2005.