EAST LANSING. The Michigan State Police (MSP) confirmed today that preliminary reports indicate three people lost their lives in three separate traffic crashes during the Memorial Day holiday weekend. In comparison, 12 people died in traffic crashes during the 2007 Memorial Day holiday weekend.

Of the three victims, two were riding motorcycles and the third was not wearing a safety belt. Alcohol was not a factor in the three crashes.

"The preliminary numbers show a decrease in fatalities from the holiday period last year," stated Capt. Robert R. Powers, Jr., commander of the MSP Traffic Safety Division. "We believe this is the result of increased safety belt usage by motorists, indicating that enhanced enforcement efforts throughout the state are saving lives."

The 2008 Memorial Day holiday weekend ran from 6 p.m. on Friday, May 23, through midnight on Monday, May 26, 2008.

These numbers are preliminary and reflect only those fatalities reported to the MSP as of noon today.