I'm confused. The number of stranded motorists has climbed since the COVID lockdowns, naturally. But the most recent number is still smaller than the amount in

I'm confused. The number of stranded motorists has climbed since the COVID lockdowns, naturally. But the most recent number is still smaller than the amount in 2019 before the lockdowns and gas was cheap. The article tries to infer that higher prices are making people drive past the Empty line, but the graph doesn't reinforce that.