Michigan State Police preliminary reports indicate that traffic deaths decreased on Labor Day holiday weekend, with nine traffic deaths in nine separate traffic crashes during the 2016 Labor Day holiday weekend, compared to 12 traffic crashes and 15 deaths during the 2015 Labor Day holiday weekend.

“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.