(AP) -- The number of people killed on South Carolina's highways has spiked at the end of 2012.
The Highway Patrol says the year's totals were running behind last year's figures until November. Since then, there have been 40 people killed on the state's roads, and the total deaths for 2012 is about even with 2011.
So far this year, 823 people have been killed in wrecks statewide. Troopers said alcohol-related deaths in the Midlands region are occurring at about twice the national average.
Trooper Kelley Hughes says drinking, speeding and not wearing a seatbelt are to blame for many of the deaths.
Troopers are cracking down on drinking and driving over the upcoming New Year's weekend.
(Copyright ©2012 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
