Early estimates released this week by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) show traffic deaths are down more than 8% during the first half of the year.

Just over 17,140 people died in car crashes across the nation between January and June, a difference of 1,540 from the same time period last year, according to the report.

The drop comes as vehicle miles traveled increased by about 12.1 billion miles, or about a percent increase.

Of the year’s first six months, June saw the most fatalities at 3,040. February saw the fewest fatalities at 2,455.

Texas sits in NHTSA Region 6 alongside New Mexico, Oklahoma, Louisiana and Mississippi. Texas saw a decrease of 137 fatalities between the 2024 and 2025 periods, from 1,988 to 1,851.

The top three states with the most report

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