Wrong-way driving is rare, but when it happens, the risk to everyone on the road is significant. A recent near miss involving a local resident has prompted new conversations here in Squamish about how we keep Highway 99 and our neighbourhood access points as clear and intuitive as possible for all drivers—locals and visitors alike. Residents are asking what more can be done to prevent a head-on collision, and which steps our community can take together to support safer driving and stronger signage.
At the time of publication, official details about the recent wrong-way driving incident have not been released by police. Squamish RCMP has been asked for comment and any confirmed information will be shared when it becomes available. In the meantime, the incident serves as a timely reminder that road safety is a shared responsibility. Highway 99 through Squamish is a provincial corridor managed by the BC Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure (MOTI). On provincial highways, MOTI is responsible for highway design, ramp layout, line painting, and signage such as Do Not Enter and Wrong Way markers. The District of Squamish manages local streets that connect to the highway and can coordinate with the Province when concerns are identified near interchanges and on-ramps.
Local drivers know the Sea to Sky well: traffic volumes surge on weekends and holidays, conditions can change quickly with weather, and the mix of commercial traffic, commuters, and visitors unfamiliar with the area can make navigation challenging. Wrong-way incidents are most often tied to confusion, impairment, or missed cues at complex intersections. While the specifics of the local report are still unconfirmed, the broader issue is clear: when a driver mistakenly enters the wrong direction, even for a short distance, the consequences can be severe because oncoming vehicles have little time to react.
In British Columbia, RCMP and road-safety partners consistently emphasize the basics: drive sober, avoid distraction, follow posted speed limits, and take extra care in unfamiliar areas. Those fundamentals matter on the Sea to Sky, where lighting conditions, weather, and curves can limit sightlines. ICBC’s province-wide road safety information notes that speed, distraction, and impairment remain leading contributors to serious crashes. While wrong-way events are a small subset, they are high risk and demand special attention to visibility and clear guidance for drivers at entry points.
There are proven tools used across BC to reduce wrong-way entries. On-ramps and highway access points typically include Do Not Enter and Wrong Way signs placed at drivers’ eye level, large directional arrows and word markings on the pavement, and channelized lanes that guide vehicles into the correct flow. Reflective markers and delineators help at night and in poor weather. In some cases, transportation agencies deploy enhanced measures—such as larger or additional signs, LED-illuminated signage, or rumble strips—where data or repeated complaints indicate confusion. These approaches are part of the engineering toolkit outlined in Canadian and provincial design guidance, and MOTI applies them where warranted following site reviews.
This is where community input can make a difference. Residents who notice unclear lines, obscured signs, or confusing ramp geometry can report issues directly to MOTI through the Province’s “Report a Highway Problem” channels listed on DriveBC. Timely reports—especially with precise locations and photos—help maintenance crews respond to damaged or obstructed signs and allow MOTI engineers to flag locations for review. The District of Squamish can also elevate local concerns to MOTI for areas near municipal intersections that lead to the highway, particularly after construction or seasonal vegetation growth that might affect visibility.
Enforcement and education also play a role. Squamish RCMP and BC Highway Patrol conduct regular traffic enforcement along the corridor, with seasonal campaigns targeting impaired driving and distraction. Those efforts are important because wrong-way driving is often linked to decision-making errors under the influence or lapses in attention. Community advocates frequently point to coordinated education—reminding drivers to slow down, put phones away, and follow ramp signage carefully—especially during peak visitor seasons when many people are driving unfamiliar routes.
For everyday drivers, knowing what to do if you encounter a wrong-way vehicle can add a layer of protection. Safety guidance commonly shared by police and road agencies includes the following: call 911 immediately with the best possible location and direction of travel; do not attempt to stop or confront the vehicle; if you see headlights approaching in your lane, move to the right, reduce speed, and stop if needed to allow the other vehicle to pass. These steps reflect standard emergency advice across Canada and can help minimize risk in those critical seconds.
Beyond immediate responses, several practical next steps are available to strengthen prevention locally. First, a joint review by MOTI and the District of Squamish of highway access points in and around town could assess whether any ramps would benefit from additional or larger Wrong Way and Do Not Enter signs, refreshed pavement arrows, or supplemental reflectors. Locations with complex geometry, unusual sightlines, or high visitor turnover may be good early candidates. Second, a seasonal signage check—before summer and again before winter—can confirm that vegetation, snow, or glare hasn’t reduced visibility. Third, a short public education push timed with peak travel periods could remind drivers to watch for ramp cues, follow posted guidance, and use caution when relying on GPS directions near interchanges.
Funding for targeted safety improvements is not limited to one source. In recent years, municipalities across BC have partnered with ICBC on local road improvements such as high-visibility signage, improved lighting, and better lane delineation. While Highway 99 is under provincial jurisdiction, there may still be opportunities to coordinate improvements at municipal connections or to support awareness campaigns that reduce confusion at key entry points. Residents and neighbourhood associations can also participate by sharing feedback through District engagement channels when transportation safety consultations open.
Because Highway 99 is both our main street and our link to the region, even a single wrong-way report deserves careful follow-up. The goal is not to assign blame without facts, but to use the moment to check whether anything on the ground can be clarified or made more visible. Many places that have reduced wrong-way incidents have done so by combining simple engineering fixes with steady enforcement and clear communication to the public.
Squamish RCMP has been asked for an update on the reported incident and any related enforcement or safety advice, and MOTI has been asked whether a review of local interchanges is underway. We will share confirmed information from those agencies when it is available. In the meantime, residents can report immediate hazards by calling 911 and can flag non-emergency highway maintenance issues through DriveBC’s reporting tools. For broader transportation concerns on municipal roads, the District of Squamish encourages residents to contact the Transportation team through the District’s website.
Ultimately, the fix for wrong-way risk is straightforward: clear signage, attentive driving, and rapid reporting when something doesn’t look right. With community input and coordinated action from MOTI, the District, RCMP, and ICBC’s road-safety partners, Squamish can keep making Highway 99 safer for everyone who lives, works, and visits here. We will continue to follow this file and provide updates as official information is confirmed. The Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure has been asked to review the area for safety improvements.
