LANSING — Preliminary reports indicate eight people died in eight separate traffic crashes during the 2017 Memorial Day holiday weekend.

In comparison, six people were killed in five traffic crashes during the 2016 Memorial Day holiday weekend.

Of the eight deadly crashes:

• Restraints were not used in four.

• Alcohol use was a known factor in one of the deadly crashes.

• Two involved motorcycles; a helmet was not worn in one and it is unknown if a helmet was used in the other.

• One victim was a bicyclist.

“These numbers are preliminary and only reflect those fatalities reported to the Michigan State Police as of 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, May 30,” said Spl/F/Lt. Jim Flegel, MSP traffic safety specialist. “We continue to urge motorists to use proper restraints and to never drive while impaired on alcohol or drugs or while distracted.”

The 2017 Memorial Day holiday weekend ran from 6 p.m. on Friday, May 26, through 11:59 p.m. on Monday, May 29, 2017.