The Department of Transportation says last month was the second safest month for traffic crashes in Wisconsin since World War II.

Preliminary statistics show 63 people died in 59 traffic crashes in July. That’s 21 fewer than the previous year and 20 fewer than the five-year average of 83 deaths.

The DOT credits the drop to the rise in gas prices, which tend to reduce traffic speeds and volumes, but say improved driving behavior also plays a part.

The safest month of July ever was in 1946 with 49 traffic deaths.