It happened again. If you were stuck in that soul-crushing crawl near the Summit-Millburn border this morning, you already know the drill. A multi-vehicle wreck on Route 24, just past the Short Hills Mall merge, turned the westbound commute into a parking lot.
Honestly, it’s getting predictable.
Police and EMS swarmed the scene earlier today after a sedan and a box truck tangled up, blocking the left and center lanes. While crews have worked to clear the debris, the residual "rubbernecking" delays are still lingering like a bad habit. If you’re heading toward Morristown, you’ve probably noticed the brake lights starting way back at the I-78 split. It’s a mess.
The Route 24 NJ Accident Today: What Actually Happened
Details are still trickling in from the New Jersey State Police, but here’s the gist of it. Around the peak of the morning rush, a collision occurred near Milepost 8.4. This specific spot is notorious because of how the lanes shift near the exit for Route 124.
One vehicle apparently lost control—possibly due to a sudden lane change—and clipped a larger commercial truck. This sent both vehicles into the median barrier. Thankfully, initial reports from first responders suggest no life-threatening injuries, but at least two people were transported to Morristown Medical Center for evaluation.
The lanes were shut down for nearly 45 minutes.
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That might not sound like a lot, but on Route 24, forty-five minutes of total closure translates to five miles of gridlock in about ten minutes flat. By the time the tow trucks arrived, the backup stretched all the way into Union County.
Why This Road is a Magnet for Crashes
You ever wonder why Route 24 feels like a gauntlet? It’s not just your imagination. This highway is a weird hybrid of a suburban commuter road and a high-speed interstate connector.
Basically, you have people coming off the Garden State Parkway and I-78 who are still in "75 mph mode." Then, they hit the twists and turns through Summit and Chatham, where the speed limit technically drops, but nobody actually slows down.
The Merge From Hell
The interchange near the Short Hills Mall (Canoe Brook Road) is arguably the biggest culprit. You have shoppers trying to exit while commuters are trying to fly past them. It creates this "scissors" effect where cars are constantly crisscrossing.
Sun Glare and Elevation
If you’re driving eastbound in the morning or westbound in the late afternoon, the sun glare on 24 is blinding. Combine that with the rolling hills that obscure your line of sight, and you have a recipe for rear-end collisions.
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The Concrete Barriers
Unlike the Turnpike with its wide shoulders, large sections of Route 24 are hemmed in by narrow shoulders and tall concrete dividers. There’s nowhere to go if someone swerves into your lane. You’re boxed in.
Real Data: How Dangerous is Route 24?
While today’s accident is the headline, the long-term stats are what should actually worry you. According to NJDOT crash data from recent years, the stretch between Interstate 287 and the I-78 merge consistently ranks as one of the highest-frequency accident zones in Northern New Jersey.
It’s not usually the "spectacular" fatal crashes that clog up the morning news. It’s the "fender bender" variety. These small-scale impacts happen dozens of times a week because the following distances are—let’s be real—non-existent. People in Jersey like to tailgate. On Route 24, that’s a dangerous game.
Expert traffic analysts often point to the "weaving" patterns at Exit 7 and Exit 8. When a highway has exits that are too close together, drivers don't have enough time to adjust their speed safely.
Navigating the Aftermath: Tips for Your Drive
If you are reading this while sitting in traffic—first off, put the phone down—but second, you need an exit strategy.
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- The Route 124 Alternative: If 24 West is a literal stojan, bailing out onto Route 124 (Main Street) through Chatham and Madison is your best bet. It’s slower, sure, but at least you’re moving.
- Shunpiking through Summit: Taking the local backroads through Summit can bypass the worst of the "S-curves" on the highway, though the police there are very strict about speed limits in residential zones.
- Check 511NJ: Honestly, the overhead signs on the highway are often behind the curve. Use the 511NJ app or a crowdsourced map like Waze to see real-time "hit" reports from other drivers.
What Needs to Change?
There’s been talk for years about widening certain bottleneck points or improving the lighting through the Summit corridor. Local officials in Morris County have pushed for better signage to warn drivers about the upcoming merges.
But really, the issue is speed and volume. Route 24 was designed for a fraction of the traffic it carries today. Until there is a significant infrastructure overhaul, we’re going to keep seeing these "Route 24 NJ accident today" headlines every time a drop of rain falls or someone gets impatient in the left lane.
Actionable Steps for New Jersey Commuters
To stay safe and avoid being the cause of tomorrow's traffic jam, keep these practical tips in mind:
- Increase Following Distance: The "two-second rule" is a joke in NJ. Try for three or four seconds on Route 24. It gives you a "buffer" when the guy in front of you slams on his brakes for no reason.
- Clean Your Windshield: This sounds stupid until the sun hits your dirty glass at 4:30 PM near the Millburn exit and you go completely blind for three seconds.
- Watch the On-Ramps: Be the "nice guy" and move to the center lane when you see a line of cars trying to merge from the mall or the local exits.
- Check Your Tires: Hydroplaning is a major issue on this road due to poor drainage in certain sections. If your treads are bald, you’re asking for trouble on the 24 curves.
Staying informed about road conditions before you leave the house is the only way to keep your sanity in the Garden State. Stay safe out there.