State Police Reports Decrease in Traffic Fatalities During 2018 Labor Day Holiday Weekend

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LANSING, MICH. The Michigan State Police (MSP) announced that preliminary reports indicate
11 people lost their lives in 11 separate traffic crashes during the 2018 Labor Day holiday weekend. During the 2017 Labor Day holiday weekend, 10 traffic crashes resulted in 15 deaths.

Restraint use was unknown in four of the fatal crashes, two fatal crashes involved alcohol and three crashes involved both pedestrians and a bicyclist. One of the fatal crashes over the weekend also involved a motorcyclist where helmet use was unknown.

“These numbers are preliminary and only reflect those fatalities reported to the MSP as of 10 a.m., Tuesday, Sept. 4, 2018,” stated Spl/F/Lt. Jim Flegel, State Services Bureau. “Even though there was a slight decrease in fatalities over the weekend, there are still 11 families that did not get to enjoy the holiday weekend, instead, they are grieving the loss of a loved one. The MSP continues to urge motorists to make safe driving decisions by not operating a vehicle while impaired on alcohol or drugs, avoiding distractions and risky driving behaviors and to always use proper restraints.”

The 2018 Labor Day holiday weekend ran from 12:01 a.m. on Friday, Aug. 31 through 11:59 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 3, 2018.

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MEDIA CONTACT:
Spl/F/Lt. Jim Flegel, State Services Bureau, 517-284-3724

Price at the Pump: Ahead of Labor Day Weekend, Schuette Warns Gas Stations Against Gouging

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LANSING – Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette today cautions Michigan drivers heading into Labor Day Weekend to be savvy consumers and be aware of potential fluctuating gas prices, noting that consumers can save money by shopping for the best prices.  Retailers are also warned against any attempt at taking advantage of Michigan consumers by gas gouging.

“Michigan consumers should not be taken advantage of during any time of year, but especially not during their last unofficial weekend of summer,” said Schuette. “I will not tolerate price gouging at the pump, we are watching and will not hesitate to take the appropriate steps of action if retailers break the law.”

Attorney General Bill Schuette’s Corporate Oversight Division works year-round to monitor the balance of wholesale and retail prices in Michigan. The Attorney General also receives and monitors complaints of this nature through Consumer Complaints filed with the office.

Under Michigan’s Consumer Protection Act, a retailer may not charge a price that is “grossly in excess of the price at which similar property or services are sold.” Anti-trust laws also prohibit gas stations from entering into agreements to arbitrarily fix prices in unison.

If consumers become aware of direct evidence of a conspiracy between companies, or have verifiable evidence of a retailer charging a price “grossly in excess of the price at which similar property of services are sold,” they are encouraged to contact the Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division at 1-877-765-8388 or file a complaint online at www.michigan.gov/ag.

For more information on gas gouging in Michigan, see Attorney General Bill Schuette’s Consumer Alert: Increased Gas Prices? Again?.

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