Highway 99 is the daily connector for work, school, errands, and weekend plans across the Sea to Sky. That is why any report of a vehicle travelling the wrong way on or near the corridor is more than a one-off scare — it is a reminder to check how well our roads are signed, how drivers are guided, and how quickly we can flag potential hazards before they turn into collisions. A local resident recently experienced a wrong-way driving incident. While the specifics of that encounter are not the focus here, it has prompted renewed community questions about how to keep people safe on the move in and around Squamish.
The Sea to Sky corridor has seen decades of investment aimed at reducing severe crashes, particularly in the lead-up to the 2010 Olympics, when the Province widened sections, added median barriers, improved sight lines, installed rumble strips, and upgraded signage. Since then, the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure has continued corridor work at various locations, including intersection upgrades and lighting, with regular pavement marking refreshes and ongoing maintenance. Even with these improvements, wrong-way driving remains a rare but high-risk event. Any time it happens — or is reported — it warrants a closer look at how people may be entering or navigating the highway, especially in areas with complex junctions or changing traffic patterns.
Highway 99 through Squamish includes a mix of signalized at-grade intersections, access points to neighbourhoods and services, and stretches with centre barriers. During busy periods and poor weather, lane markings, signs, and lighting do more of the heavy lifting to keep movements clear. When a driver ends up facing oncoming traffic, it is often because something in that chain of guidance failed for them in that moment: visibility was low, a turn was misread, or an access looked like an intended route. None of that excuses unsafe driving, but it does highlight how design, maintenance, and clear information can prevent mistakes from becoming tragedies.
Police and road-safety agencies emphasize a few consistent points when it comes to wrong-way events. If you see a vehicle travelling the wrong direction, do not attempt to block or confront it. Safely move out of its path, pull over if needed, and call 911 right away with as much detail as you can safely provide: location, travel direction, vehicle description, and nearby landmarks. This guidance is standard across policing in B.C., including RCMP detachments in the Sea to Sky. Quick, accurate calls help dispatchers alert nearby officers and notify other drivers through official channels when appropriate.
From a prevention standpoint, proven measures exist. National best practices used in B.C. include larger and lower-mounted “Do Not Enter” and “Wrong Way” signs at potential conflict points; prominent pavement arrows and edge lines; reflective treatments on the backs of signs to discourage unintended entries; and lighting that helps drivers correctly read the road at night or in rain. Raised medians and channelization reduce the opportunity to turn across opposing lanes by mistake. Rumble strips, clear lane dividers, and high-visibility delineators help drivers self-correct early. In some jurisdictions, wrong-way detection systems with flashing beacons or instant alerts to traffic operations centres have been piloted at higher-risk ramps and intersections. The right combination depends on location-specific patterns confirmed by data.
In Squamish, responsibilities are shared. The Province manages Highway 99 and its signage, markings, and barriers, working with its maintenance contractor on day-to-day conditions. The District of Squamish oversees municipal streets and local safety measures such as traffic calming and intersection visibility on town roads. When residents bring forward concerns that touch the highway — for example, confusion at a particular access — the District typically relays those items to the Province and coordinates as needed on design, enforcement, or education. Residents can also contact the provincial 24/7 maintenance line posted on roadside signs to report signage damage, missing reflectors, or lane-marking issues on Highway 99.
Data remains a key part of the conversation. ICBC’s provincial reporting has consistently highlighted impairment, distraction, and speed as leading contributors to serious crashes in B.C. While wrong-way collisions are less common than other crash types, the consequences can be severe because they often involve head-on or high-speed conflicts. This is why even a single local report is worth treating as an early indicator to review sight lines, confirm that signs are positioned where drivers actually need them, and check whether pavement markings and lighting are performing as intended after winter wear.
There are also human factors to consider in a growing community and a destination corridor. Seasonal visitors, contractors on tight schedules, and new residents may be unfamiliar with local access points, turning restrictions, or lane drops. Darkness, rain, and glare on wet pavement can make turn pockets or exits look different than they do in daylight. None of these factors excuse risky choices, but they do inform how the Province and District can target solutions: clearer “No Left Turn” or “Right Turn Only” signs where needed, simplified lane layouts at busy accesses, and stronger visual cues that prevent an error from happening in the first place.
Local enforcement and education efforts complement engineering. Squamish RCMP regularly take part in province-wide campaigns such as CounterAttack impaired-driving enforcement and seasonal speed and distraction initiatives. When officers respond to reports like wrong-way driving, they can increase patrols in affected areas, gather information about time-of-day patterns, and share key safety reminders through detachment channels. Public-awareness messages can be particularly effective when they are specific to local conditions — for example, reminding drivers to slow down well before key intersections along Highway 99 through town, use turn bays correctly, and follow posted movements at signals.
Residents have clear roles, too. If you encounter confusing signage or see worn pavement arrows that could mislead a driver, report it. Keep headlights clear, use your signals early, and reduce speed before turning; these basics increase predictability for everyone around you. If you are unfamiliar with an access, give yourself extra time to make a safe, signed movement rather than improvising. And if you witness a wrong-way vehicle, prioritize space and safety — move over, stop if needed, and call 911.
We have asked Squamish RCMP and the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure whether they are reviewing any locations in the Squamish area in light of the recent report. Official comment was not available by publication time. We will share updates as they are confirmed, including any planned signage checks, pavement-marking refreshes, or further enforcement steps.
Looking ahead, a practical set of next steps is on the table. A focused signage and pavement-marking review at key Highway 99 access points in and around Squamish could help identify quick wins. If data points to recurring confusion at a specific location, the Province could consider measures such as upgraded “Wrong Way/Do Not Enter” signs, refreshed arrows, additional lighting, or channelization to restrict risky movements. On the education side, a short, locally tailored awareness push — potentially coordinated by the District with RCMP and ICBC — could help remind drivers how to navigate the highway’s busiest intersections and what to do if they encounter a wrong-way vehicle. Community feedback can guide both pieces of work by highlighting real-world problem spots.
Highway 99 will always be busy, and most days it works as intended because design, maintenance, enforcement, and driver attention line up. When something breaks that chain, the response should be steady, factual, and focused on prevention. Squamish residents know this corridor well; your observations, paired with provincial engineering and policing, are how small signals become timely fixes. If you have information that could assist, consider sharing it with Squamish RCMP for enforcement follow-up and with the Province’s maintenance line for operational issues on Highway 99.
For real-time travel information and incident alerts, visit DriveBC. For policy or project updates, see the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure website and the District of Squamish transportation pages. We will update readers as officials confirm any safety reviews or improvements related to this report.
