Last year 41,059 people were killed in highway crashes, down by more than 1,600 from 2006. It was the lowest number of highway deaths in a year since 1994, when 40,716 people were killed.
The results make the fatality rate of 1.37 deaths for every 100 million miles traveled in 2007 the lowest on record, said the NHTSA.
"Thanks to safer vehicles, aggressive law enforcement and our efforts, countless families were spared the devastating news that a loved one was not coming home," said Transportation Secretary Mary Peters.
Many states have reported double-digit drops in fatalities during the first part of this year. California had the largest decline, 266 fewer fatalities than the previous year, with the largest percentage decreases occurring in South Dakota and Vermont.
North Carolina's death toll increased the most in the nation, up 121 over the previous year. The District of Columbia and Alaska had the highest percentage increases.
In contrast, motorcycle deaths increased for the 10th year in a row, reaching 5,154 last year, up from 4,837 in 2006. Motorcycle registrations have surpassed 6 million, almost twice the 3.8 million registered ten years ago, and vehicle miles posted for motorcycles has also increased.
Peters said higher fuel prices may be pushing more people to turn to motorcycles or scooters, which can get 50 to 60 miles per gallon.
Adrian Lund, president of the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, said the weakened economy was likely a factor in the declines.
Lund believes the combination of a slowing economy and gas prices – already past 4 dollars per gallon in many areas and approaching $4 a gallon nationwide -- could lead to further reductions in highway fatalities this year.