The Michigan State Police (MSP) announced the results of preliminary reports that indicate eight people lost their lives in eight separate traffic crashes during the 2015 Thanksgiving holiday weekend. In comparison, six people died in six traffic crashes during the 2014 Thanksgiving holiday weekend.

“These numbers are preliminary and only reflect those fatalities reported to the MSP as of 12 p.m. yesterday,” stated Capt. Thomas Deasy, commander of the MSP Training Division. “The preliminary numbers show an increase in fatalities from this same holiday period last year. The MSP continues to urge motorists not to drink and drive, to always use proper restraints and to drive safely.”

The 2015 Thanksgiving holiday weekend ran from 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 25, through 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 29, 2015.

As part of Operation C.A.R.E. (Combined Accident Reduction Effort), MSP troopers conducted high-visibility enforcement focusing on impaired driving, seat belt use, careless driving and speeding.

Operation C.A.R.E. is a nationwide initiative aimed at reducing traffic crashes and fatalities on highways across the country. It began in 1977 as a collaborative effort between the MSP and the Indiana State Police. Today Operation C.A.R.E. is one of the nation’s longest running traffic safety initiatives and includes state and highway patrol agencies from all 50 states, as well as some American territories and Canadian provinces.