MERIDIAN TOWNSHIP - This past 4th of July weekend wasn't all about celebration in the state. Occurring to a press release from the Michigan State Police reports that there was an increase in traffic fatalities. The MSP announced that 11 people lost their lives in 10 separate traffic crashes during the weekend. In comparison, 4 people died in traffic crashes during the 2012 Fourth of July holiday weekend.

Of the 11 fatalities, alcohol use was a known factor in one of the crashes, not a factor in six of the crashes and one was unknown. In the crashes only eight people had restraints available to them; four were know to have used restraints, three did not use restraints and one was unknown.

The MSP continues to urge motorists not to drink and drive and to always use proper restraints and to drive safely.

The 2013 Fourth of July holiday weekend ran from 6pm on Wednesday, July 3rd, through 11:59 PM., on Sunday, July 7th 2013.