On Sunday night, at Popular and County Line, a mother and daughter were struck and seriously injured while simply trying to cross the street. It was not the first such incident along this corridor — and unless officials act, it will not be the last.
County Line Road has become one of the most dangerous stretches in Ocean County. Entire blocks are shrouded in darkness, crosswalks are few and far between, and traffic moves at a pace completely mismatched to the residential neighborhoods and businesses that line the route. Residents who live, work, and shop here are forced to take their lives in their hands just to get across.
The failure is clear. Local and state officials have known for years about the risks posed by County Line Road and Route 9. They have heard the community’s pleas for lighting, pedestrian crossings, and basic safety upgrades. Yet little has changed. Every day of inaction leaves more families at risk of enduring the same nightmare that unfolded Sunday night…