---
EDIT: Link to data is at >>46173013
It looks like crash rates jumped after the pandemic, then declined in 2022 and 2023, contradicting the OP.
Though I wonder how much that number compares to how much the trucking industry grew in that time. If it grew 200% that would actually mean a big win for safety.
Edit: some quick, AI driven research suggests it might've grown 20%. So... Still an issue
https://www.nhtsa.gov/crash-data-systems/fatality-analysis-r...
https://highways.dot.gov/safety/learn-safety/roadway-safety-...
[0] https://cdan.dot.gov/files/files/e2451bc7-e1c3-4942-93f2-af6...
Unfortunately I don't have time to go beyond an imgur link, or asking you to generate the table yourself :/