Despite fewer people using American roads and highways as a result of the pandemic in 2020, the total number of traffic deaths rose by 8% over 2019.

The National Safety Council estimates that more than 42,060 people died in motor vehicle crashes last year – the highest total number since 2007. Given Federal data showing that Americans drove 13 % less miles last year, the rate of deaths per mile driven spiked 24% over the previous 12-month period.

That’s the biggest year-over-year increase in the rate of traffic deaths per mile driven that the NSC has calculated since 1924.

In fact, eight states saw the total number of deaths spike by more than 15%. Arkansas was the worst last year with 26% more roadway fatalities than in 2019. It was followed by Connecticut (22%), District of Columbia (+33%), Georgia (+18%), Mississippi (+19%), Rhode Island (+26%), South Dakota (+33%) and Vermont (+32%).

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Fortunately, there were some states where the total number of traffic deaths actually went down. Hawaii’s total fell the furthest, experiencing 20% fewer traffic deaths than in 2019. It was joined by Wyoming (-13%), Delaware (-11%), Nebraska (-9%), Idaho (-7%), New Mexico (-4%), Alaska (-3%), and Maine and North Dakota both of whose totals fell by 1%.

But it wasn’t just deaths, though. The NSC also estimates that 4.8 million people were seriously injured in crashes last year.

The organization has called on the Biden administration to implement some measures to lower traffic deaths. They include the equitable implementation of roadway safety laws, mandatory ignition interlocks for those convicted of drunk driving, lowering speed limits, banning all cell phone use (even hands-free), increasing punishments for not wearing a seatbelt, and more.

“It is tragic that in the U.S., we took cars off the roads and didn’t reap any safety benefits,” said Lorraine M. Martin, president and CEO of the National Safety Council. “These data expose our lack of an effective roadway safety culture. It is past time to address roadway safety holistically and effectively, and NSC stands ready to assist all stakeholders, including the federal government.”