HOLLAND, MI (WHTC-AM/FM) – The Michigan State Police have reported that the number of traffic fatalities over Fourth of July weekend has gone down since last year.
Preliminary findings show that 11 people lost their lives this year between 12:01 a.m. on Saturday, July 1 through 11:59 p.m. on Tuesday, July 4 due to traffic crashes.
Of those 11 crashes, alcohol was known to be a factor in three incidents and four separate crashes involved motorcycles. A helmet was not worn in at least one of the motorcycle accidents; it is uncertain whether a helmet was worn in the other three. Also in the report, two crashes involved off-road vehicles and one victim was on a bicycle. At least one crash occurred in West Michigan.
These numbers are in comparison to last year, where 13 people died in result of Fourth of July traffic crashes.
“The Michigan State Police would like to remind motorists to be aware of motorcyclists, pedestrians, bicyclists and child passenger safety throughout the summer” said Spl/F/Lt. Jim Flegel of the MSP State Services Bureau. “The goal is to keep everyone safe on Michigan roadways and to reduce or eliminate preventable traffic fatalities and injuries.”
