Traffic fatalities dropped dramatically in the first half of this year — even as Americans spent more time on the road, according to new data the National Safety Council (NSC) released Monday.

About 18,720 people died in traffic crashes from January to June, nearly 13 percent fewer than during the same period in 2024, the researchers found.

“This decrease in traffic deaths represents tremendous progress and shows what’s possible when states and communities commit to proven safety strategies,” NSC executive vice president Mark Chung said in a news release. “This success demonstrates that when we work together using evidence-based solutions, we can save lives and make all road users safer.”

Researchers noted that while fatalities decreased, the number of miles that Americans drove over the compared periods increased by almost 1 percent.

Ten states — California, Connecticut, Mississippi, Alaska, Delaware, Alabama, Kentucky, Vermont, Maryland and Minnesota — saw decreases of more than 20 percent in traffic fatalities, as did the District of Columbia.

Four states saw fatalities jump by 20 percent or more: Hawaii, Oklahoma, Kansas and West Virginia, the report found.

NSC cited the states’ embrace of the Federal Highway Administration’s Safe System Approach as a major factor in the decline. It urged the U.S. Transportation Department to develop and push a comprehensive safety plan to curb risky driving behaviors nationwide.

Safe System Approach leans heavily on mitigating fatalities when crashes occur.

“We’re seeing the results of states and localities implementing the Safe System Approach – focusing on safer roads, safer speeds, safer vehicles, safer people and better post-crash care,” Chung said.