Road safety is a shared priority in Squamish, and a recent wrong-way driving incident reported by a local resident has many of us thinking about how we can prevent close calls before they become tragedies. Even when collisions are avoided, a near-miss on a high-speed corridor is a reminder that clear signage, careful driving, and quick reporting matter—especially in a community that relies on Highway 99 for daily life, work, and access to the region.
Details of the incident are still being confirmed. We have asked Sea to Sky RCMP and the BC Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure for information about what happened and whether any follow-up actions are planned. If additional facts are provided, we will share them. In the meantime, the situation raises practical questions that residents, local leaders, and road authorities can consider together: Are signs and pavement markings at highway access points as clear as they could be? Are we doing enough to help unfamiliar drivers navigate safely? And what simple steps can reduce the chance of a repeat?
Wrong-way entries are uncommon, but the risk is significant because of closing speeds on a divided highway. Highway 99 is a busy, mixed-traffic route serving commuters, freight, and visitors headed to and from the Sea to Sky. The combination of higher speeds, changing weather, and occasional night-time construction or detours puts a premium on predictable road design and unmistakable wayfinding. Transport and police agencies across Canada note that wrong-way events are often associated with confusion at complex junctions, poor visibility, or driver impairment—factors that call for both strong engineering and consistent enforcement.
In British Columbia, highway signs and markings follow provincial standards based on the Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices. That means drivers should expect to see “Do Not Enter” and “Wrong Way” signs where there’s a risk of mistakenly turning into oncoming lanes, along with directional arrows and lane guidance on the pavement. The Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure is responsible for installing and maintaining this infrastructure on Highway 99, while the District of Squamish oversees municipal streets that connect to it. When concerns are raised—by residents, police, or maintenance crews—the Ministry can review an access point to confirm that the sign placement, size, reflectivity, and pavement markings meet current standards and are in good condition.
Winter and shoulder-season conditions add another layer to the conversation. Heavy rain, fog, and early darkness on the Sea to Sky can reduce contrast and make signs or lane lines harder to pick up at a glance. Reflective coatings fade over time, pavement markings wear down, and roadside vegetation can partially obscure warnings. A focused audit of signs and markings at key highway entry points, especially those with divided medians or unusual geometry, can be a low-cost way to strengthen safety. That audit can include checks on sign visibility at night and in wet conditions, the clarity of pavement arrows, and whether supplemental devices—such as reflective delineators or flexible posts—would help channel drivers correctly.
Enforcement remains a core part of prevention. Sea to Sky RCMP Traffic Services regularly conducts targeted patrols for impaired, distracted, and excessive-speed driving on Highway 99. Police emphasize that if you encounter a suspected wrong-way driver, the safest course is to reduce speed, move as far right as possible, and avoid attempting to pass or confront the vehicle. Calling 911 to report the location and direction of travel helps dispatchers alert other drivers and coordinate a response. For local residents, keeping those guidelines in mind—and sharing them with new drivers in the household—can make a difference in the critical moments when a situation unfolds.
Community feedback is also a valuable signal for agencies. Residents know where nighttime visibility feels marginal, where temporary construction changes may be confusing, and where visitor traffic is most likely to make last-second turns. Clear input about specific locations helps the Ministry and the District target their reviews. If you notice a missing or obscured sign, faded lane arrows, or a confusing detour setup, reporting it promptly can speed up maintenance or a design tweak. The District and the Ministry each have service request channels and encourage the public to flag concerns so they can be logged and addressed.
There are practical steps that can be considered in the near term. A signage refresh—larger and more reflective “Do Not Enter/Wrong Way” signs at driver eye level, additional pavement arrows, and renewed lane lines—can improve clarity at night and in heavy rain. Temporary channelization, such as reflective posts or median tabs, can guide vehicles away from incorrect entries where space allows. In locations with vegetation, trimming and sightline maintenance ensure that warnings remain visible from an appropriate distance. Agencies may also review lighting levels at complex junctions to confirm that key decision points are well illuminated.
Longer-term measures can be targeted where data supports them. These include adjusting intersection geometry, adding raised medians or directional islands to make a wrong turn physically difficult, or installing rumble strips and high-contrast markings that give drivers stronger cues. In some jurisdictions, wrong-way detection systems are used to trigger flashing beacons if a vehicle enters against traffic; while such technology is not standard everywhere, it is part of the toolkit that transportation agencies evaluate for high-risk sites. The Ministry’s broader program for Highway 99 has, over the years, included improvements like median barriers, rumble strips, and upgraded signage. Continued, data-driven investment—focused on locations where human error is most likely—is the backbone of prevention.
Education complements engineering and enforcement. Squamish is a gateway for visitors who may be unfamiliar with the corridor and its access points. Seasonal reminders—through community channels, tourism partners, and local businesses—can reinforce safe navigation: slow down in poor weather, watch for directional arrows at divided highways, and never make U-turns on the highway. ICBC publishes driver safety materials and collision data tools that residents and community groups can use to better understand local patterns and advocate for targeted improvements. Bringing that information into neighbourhood conversations, school traffic planning, and business outreach helps keep safety top of mind.
For homeowners and families who drive Highway 99 daily, the takeaway is straightforward: if something on your route feels unclear, speak up. Noting the exact location and what was confusing—sign height, line of sight, lane markings, or detour signage—allows engineers to evaluate it against standards and make practical fixes. On the road, give yourself time and space to make decisions, especially at night or in rain and fog. If you miss a turn, carry on to the next safe option rather than attempting a quick correction. And if you encounter a driver who appears to be going the wrong way, prioritize your own safety and call 911.
We have requested comment from Sea to Sky RCMP and the BC Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure regarding the reported wrong-way incident and whether a signage review will follow. We will share updates when they are available. For ongoing travel information, check DriveBC for current highway conditions and advisories. If you have a road safety concern within the District, contact the District of Squamish through its public works or service request channels. On Highway 99, safety issues can be reported to the Ministry’s maintenance contractor for the Sea to Sky region or directly to the Ministry. Working together—residents, police, and transportation officials—we can strengthen the small, practical safeguards that keep a serious mistake from becoming a serious crash.
