Michigan Traffic Deaths Down Around Fourth Of July Holiday

LANSING (WWJ/AP) -  Michigan State Police say traffic deaths were down this year around the Fourth of July holiday from last year.

The agency says preliminary reports indicate that seven people died in seven separate traffic crashes during the holiday weekend. Last year during the Fourth of July holiday period, officials reported there were 11 traffic crashes that resulted in 12 deaths.

Kevin Rod, acting commander of the state police's Training Division, noted that four crashes involved pedestrians. In a statement, he says that's "concerning."

Click here to see a breakdown of the crashes (.pdf format)

"The MSP continues to urge motorists to drive responsibly by limiting distractions behind the wheel, not drinking and driving and buckling up each and every ride," he said.

This year's holiday period ran from 6 p.m. on July 1 through the end of the day Monday.

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