COLUMBIA (WACH/AP)—A spike in South Carolina roadway deaths has brought 2012 in line with 2011, and according to South Carolina Highway Patrol Trooper Kelley Hughes, is nearly double the national average.

Until November, according to the SCHP, the total number of roadway deaths for the year were lower than last year, however, in the last several weeks of the year, 40 people have died on the state’s roads, bringing the total to 823, which is within 2 of the 2011 total.

Trooper Hughes points to drinking, speeding, and not wearing seatbelts, as the cause of many of the deaths.

The Highway Patrol, along with local and county agencies are cracking down on drinking and driving over the upcoming New Year’s weekend.

(The AP contributed to this story.)