The Michigan State Police (MSP) announced Wednesday, Sept. 7, that preliminary reports indicate traffic fatalities decreased this Labor Day holiday weekend, with nine traffic deaths in nine separate traffic crashes. Over last year’s Labor Day holiday weekend, there were 12 traffic crashes and 15 deaths.

“These numbers are preliminary and only reflect those fatalities reported to the MSP as of 1 p.m., Sept. 6, 2016,” stated Capt. Thomas Deasy, commander of the MSP Training Division. “For the safety of everyone on the road, the MSP continues to urge motorists not to drink and drive, to always use proper restraints and to avoid distractions behind the wheel.”

The 2016 Labor Day holiday weekend ran from 6 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 2, through 11:59 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 5, 2016.