Many Squamish families rely on Highway 99 every day—for school drop-offs, work commutes, and weekend trips up and down the corridor. That’s why a recent report of a local resident encountering a wrong-way driver has sparked a wider conversation here at home: how confident are we in safety on the Sea to Sky, and what practical steps can our community, the RCMP, and the Province take to reduce risk?
Wrong-way driving is uncommon, but it is among the most dangerous situations on any roadway. Even a brief mistake at an interchange can lead to high-speed, head-on conflicts. When something like this is reported close to town, people naturally question whether signs are clear enough, lighting is adequate, and response plans are well understood—not just by long-time locals, but also by visitors and drivers new to the corridor.
Highway 99 through Squamish is a provincial highway, owned and operated by the BC Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure (MOTI). Day-to-day enforcement falls to the Sea to Sky RCMP, while the District of Squamish advocates for local priorities and collaborates with MOTI when concerns are raised. In short, several layers of responsibility work together: the Province designs and maintains the highway, police respond to and investigate incidents, and the District helps ensure local issues are heard and addressed.
On the infrastructure side, MOTI uses standardized, nationally recognized practices to prevent wrong-way entries at ramps and intersections. These typically include red “Do Not Enter” and “Wrong Way” signs placed where an errant turn is most likely, oversized or high-reflectivity sign faces, illuminated or reflective directional arrows, rumble strips, and channelized islands that help guide drivers along the correct path. Many of these measures are already found throughout Sea to Sky interchanges and entrances around Squamish.
The broader corridor itself saw major upgrades in advance of the 2010 Winter Olympics. Those projects delivered median barriers in key sections, wider shoulders, improved sightlines, upgraded signage and road markings, and additional pullouts. More recent work has focused on resurfacing, improving drainage, refreshing pavement markings, and targeted safety improvements at locations flagged by engineering reviews or police collision data. MOTI has an ongoing program of corridor maintenance and periodically reviews signage where new concerns emerge, particularly at access points that experience higher volumes or complex turning movements.
Enforcement and education are the other half of the safety picture. The Sea to Sky RCMP respond to dangerous driving calls and investigate reports such as wrong-way entries. If a driver witnesses a vehicle travelling the wrong direction or presenting an immediate risk to others, RCMP guidance is to call 911 with as much detail as possible—location, direction of travel, vehicle type and colour, and any partial plate information if it is safe to note. For concerns that are not time-critical, residents can follow up through the detachment’s non-emergency line. RCMP do not recommend trying to flag down or confront drivers. Keeping your own vehicle under control and reporting what you see is the safest approach.
As Squamish continues to grow, traffic patterns shift with new neighbourhoods, construction detours, and increased visitor numbers. Many of us also see day-to-day issues that, while not emergencies, add stress to driving: confusing lane changes near ramps, faded paint in wet weather, or low visibility at dusk. These are precisely the kinds of site-specific observations that help MOTI and the District prioritize small but meaningful fixes. Residents can report roadway concerns to MOTI and share feedback with the District of Squamish, which regularly liaises with the Province on Highway 99 matters.
Local volunteers and advocacy also play a role. Speed Watch, delivered with RCMP support, helps remind drivers of posted speeds and provides police with anonymized data that can guide enforcement. Seasonal campaigns—such as impaired driving CounterAttack, distracted driving enforcement, and winter driving awareness—are run by police and provincial partners to reinforce safe habits. While these efforts do not directly target wrong-way incidents, they improve overall driver attention and compliance, which helps reduce the kinds of errors that can lead to serious events.
What about additional measures specific to wrong-way prevention? Across BC and other provinces, transportation agencies have used a range of tools at high-risk sites:
• Larger or lower-mounted “Wrong Way/Do Not Enter” signs to keep them squarely in drivers’ line of sight at night and in poor weather.
• Pavement arrows and chevrons that are especially visible in rain and low light, supplemented by reflective posts or delineators that “pull” vehicles along the correct path.
• Channelized islands or curbs that physically discourage incorrect turns.
• Enhanced lighting at ramp terminals where confusion is most likely for unfamiliar drivers.
• Targeted enforcement or public education in areas where near-misses are reported.
Most locations do not require every one of these tools. Instead, engineers match the treatment to the geometry, traffic volumes, and history at each site. In the Sea to Sky context—where we see frequent visitors, changing weather, and a mix of locals and tourists—clear, conservative designs and highly visible signs can make a meaningful difference.
It’s also worth noting that driver behaviour remains critical. Fatigue, impairment, distraction, and excessive speed all raise the chance of a serious mistake. Provincial partners such as ICBC and police regularly highlight these factors in road-safety campaigns. In practical terms, that means giving yourself a moment to read the signs before a turn, planning your route when you’re unfamiliar with an area, and avoiding last-second manoeuvres. If you miss an intended turn or off-ramp along Highway 99, the safest option is to carry on to the next safe exit or turnaround rather than attempt an abrupt course correction.
As for the recent wrong-way report near Squamish, we have reached out to the Sea to Sky RCMP to confirm any response details and whether a related safety review has been requested. We have also asked MOTI if the access points near town are scheduled for a signage or lighting check in the near term. At the time of writing, official comment is pending. We will share updates once they are confirmed by the RCMP and MOTI.
In the meantime, residents who want to help can do three things. First, report time-sensitive dangerous driving to 911 so police can respond quickly. Second, document repeat concerns—such as visibility, sign placement, or confusing lane guidance at a specific location—and share that information with MOTI and the District of Squamish. Third, support local safety programs by modelling attentive, sober driving and by participating in volunteer efforts like Speed Watch if you have the time.
Squamish has a track record of working through road-safety issues collaboratively. Whether it’s pedestrian crossings on municipal streets or high-speed operations on the provincial highway, progress usually comes from a mix of engineering, enforcement, education, and community feedback. The recent wrong-way report is a reminder that even well-designed corridors benefit from periodic checks and clear communication—especially in a growing community and a popular travel destination.
We will continue to follow this file. For real-time highway updates, check DriveBC. For confirmed information on enforcement and investigations, see the Sea to Sky RCMP news page. For infrastructure and safety improvements, watch for notices from the BC Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure. If MOTI confirms a review of access points near Squamish, we will share the details, including any opportunities for public input.
Editor’s note: Official comment from the Sea to Sky RCMP and the BC Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure is pending. This story will be updated as verified information becomes available. If you witnessed a wrong-way driving event or have non-emergency safety feedback about a specific Highway 99 location, you can share it with the RCMP through their non-emergency channels and with MOTI for consideration in ongoing safety reviews.
