Foggy conditions and poor judgment by drivers caused an influx in traffic accidents late Thursday and early Friday, leaving one man in critical condition at Carolinas Medical Center.

A steady flow of calls regarding traffic accidents in the area started almost as soon as a thick fog settled over the region about 7 p.m.  There were wrecks reported on Thornburg Drive in Conover, Startown Road, Wallace Dairy Road and N.C. 10 in Vale among others. The influx in call volume kept law enforcement and emergency personnel busy well into the morning hours.

The N.C. State Highway Patrol responded to a total a total of nine vehicle accidents in Catawba and Lincoln counties between 7 a.m. and 11 p.m. alone, said Sgt. T.E. Robinson with the Highway Patrol.

“It is a little more than normal,” he said. “It just depends on the weather.”

The most serious accident happened at 3:50 a.m. on Little Mountain Road near Sherrills Ford. Revus Faggart, 27, of Lenoir, was driving north at a high rate of speed when he crossed the center line and lost control of his 1988 Chevrolet car, said Robinson. He said Faggart’s car went off the right shoulder of the road and struck a tree.

Faggart suffered life-threatening injuries in the accident. He was transported to Lake Norman Regional Medical Center and transferred to Carolinas Medical Center in Charlotte.

Robinson said speed was the main contributing factor to the accident, especially considering the weather conditions.  The investigating trooper, R. Griffin, cited Faggart for driving while impaired, reckless driving and driving without a license.

He said it’s important for drivers to pay attention and adjust driving for the weather conditions.

“People definitely need to reduce their traveling speed,” Robinson said. “They should drive as a speed that is reasonable for the conditions.”

Just because the speed limit is 45 mph doesn’t mean it’s a safe speed during foggy or wet conditions, said Robinson.  By law, motorists are not to exceed a safe driving speed regardless of what the speed limit is.

Robinson said it is also important to make sure all the lights are working on the vehicle before heading out into adverse weather conditions. In fog or rain, he said people should use their headlights. Law also requires headlights during the day if the windshield wipers are running continuously.

Robinson said stick to the low-beams during foggy conditions, because the high-beams can actually create visibility problems.

Most importantly, he said be alert and observe the basic principles of the road.