May 30, 2006
East Lansing -  The Michigan State Police (MSP) confirmed today that preliminary reports indicate eight people lost their lives in seven separate traffic crashes during the 2006 Memorial Day holiday weekend. In comparison, 15 people died in traffic crashes during the 2005 Memorial Day holiday weekend.

Three of the eight victims were known to have been restrained by safety belts with safety belt usage not applicable in two of the crashes, and alcohol was not a known factor in any of the fatal crashes.

"The preliminary numbers show a decrease in fatalities from this same holiday period last year," stated Capt. Daniel Atkinson, Commander of the MSP Field Operations Division. "This undoubtedly reflects the coordinated effort by law enforcement agencies throughout the state and the continued high percentage of safety belt usage by Michigan’s motorists."

The 2006 Memorial Day holiday weekend ran from 6 p.m. on Friday, May 26, through midnight on Monday, May 29, 2006.