WASHINGTON (October 9, 2009)--Deaths on U.S. highways dropped to a record low during the first six months of 2009, continuing a recent trend of fewer people dying on roads, the government says.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said 16,626 people died in traffic crashes between January and the end of June, a 7 percent decline from the same period last year.

More than 37,000 motorists died in 2008, the fewest since 1961, but the government projects that even fewer people will die this year.

Safety experts have attributed the declines in highway deaths to the economic recession, record-high seat-belt use, vehicle safety advances and fewer people driving.

Highway deaths have dropped steadily since 2005.