Very recently they have dropped: https://apnews.com/article/nhtsa-traffic-fatalities-82676a2a...

But they were up the last two years: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Motor_vehicle_fatality_rate_in...

As far as why, this article might shed some light: https://www.vox.com/22675358/us-car-deaths-year-traffic-covi...

"According to several traffic experts I spoke with, the explanation for the 2020 fatality spike is relatively straightforward: With fewer cars on the road during quarantine, traffic congestion was all but eliminated, which emboldened people to drive at lethal speeds. Compared to 2019, many more drivers involved in fatal crashes also didn’t wear seat belts or drove drunk."

But is it linked ? Cars have been getting bigger and bigger cars (specifically SUVs) are linked to car crashes to be more lethal.

Are total car crashes on the rise ? How does that figure compare to the amount of cars on the road ?