The Michigan State Police (MSP) confirmed that preliminary reports indicate four people lost their lives in three separate traffic crashes during the 2013 Labor Day holiday weekend. In comparison, eight people died in traffic crashes during the 2012 Labor Day holiday weekend.

Of the four fatalities, two persons were known to have used restraints. Alcohol was a factor in one crash. One crash involved a bicyclist struck by a car, and another crash involved an unhelmeted motorcyclists.

“These numbers are preliminary and only reflect those fatalities reported to the MSP as of 11 a.m. on Tuesday, September 3, 2013,” stated Capt. Kari Kusmierz, commander of the MSP Training Division. “The preliminary numbers show a decrease 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 at all times.”

The 2013 Labor Day holiday weekend ran from 6 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 30, through 11:59 p.m., on  Monday, September 2.