Many Squamish residents drive Highway 99 every day, often with family in the car. That routine is exactly why a recent wrong-way driving incident reported by a local resident has struck a chord in town. Even when no collision occurs, a driver travelling against the flow on a divided highway is a high-risk situation that can end very badly in a matter of seconds. The incident is a timely reminder to look closely at how our community approaches road safety on the Sea to Sky corridor, from signage and ramp design to enforcement and public awareness.
Wrong-way driving typically happens when a driver unintentionally enters a highway by an exit ramp or turns the wrong way from a complex intersection. It is rare, but when it does occur the consequences can be severe because of highway speeds and limited reaction time. In British Columbia, the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure is responsible for the design, signage, and maintenance of provincial highways, including Highway 99. The Squamish RCMP and Integrated Road Safety Units conduct enforcement on the corridor. We have asked both the Ministry and the Squamish RCMP for comment on recent local concerns; we will share updates when they are available.
In the meantime, there are a few important points of context. The Sea to Sky Highway has seen substantial safety work over the past two decades, including widening in select sections, improved sightlines, new or upgraded barriers in places, and enhanced signage. The province also follows national standards for road signage and markings, which include “Do Not Enter” and “Wrong Way” signs at off-ramps, directional arrows on ramp pavement, and reflective guideposts to help drivers read lanes in poor light. Those measures are designed to reduce wrong-way entry and quickly alert a driver if they are off course. Still, any complex interchange, low-light conditions, heavy rain, or unfamiliarity with the area can create opportunities for error, which is why ongoing review and maintenance matters.
Local conversations tend to focus on several practical questions: Are signs clear and visible at night and in wet weather? Are ramp entrances and exits intuitive for someone new to the area? Are faded pavement arrows and edge lines being refreshed quickly enough? And is enforcement visible enough to curb the behaviours that often precede serious incidents—speeding, distraction, and impairment? These community questions align with what ICBC and BC police agencies consistently note about crash risk in the province: driver behaviour and visibility conditions are critical factors in preventing severe collisions.
For residents who witness driving that looks dangerous or clearly wrong-way, police advise prioritizing safety above all else. If it is safe to do so, pull well off the roadway, call 911, and provide as much information as you can about the vehicle, direction of travel, and location. Do not attempt to stop or follow the vehicle. On highways like 99, closing speeds are high, decision windows are short, and trying to intervene can add risk. If you come upon an interchange or ramp that seems confusing or poorly marked, the safest choice is to continue to the next clear, legal exit rather than trying to turn around or back up.
From a systems point of view, there are several steps that could support safety on and near Highway 99 around Squamish. The first is routine signage and pavement marking audits at ramps and intersections, with an emphasis on night-time visibility and performance during rain. Retroreflective materials lose brightness over time, and horizontal markings wear faster under heavy traffic; quick refresh cycles can reduce confusion. The second is targeted awareness, reminding drivers not to make sudden U-turns, to avoid reversing on ramps, and to rely on the next exit if they miss a turn. While seasoned locals know the rhythm of the corridor, this is a highway travelled daily by visitors, new residents, and commercial traffic, and clear messaging helps everyone.
Another useful step is collaboration between the District of Squamish, the Ministry, and local police on data sharing. Near-miss reports, citizen complaints, and enforcement observations can flag where wayfinding or geometry might be causing problems—especially at locations with unusual lighting, nearby construction, or frequent weather-related visibility issues. The province also uses maintenance contractors to respond to signage damage and other hazards. If you notice a sign down or markings that have become hard to read, you can report it to the highway maintenance provider through the 24/7 number posted on roadside service signs or via DriveBC. Those reports help prioritize fixes.
Enforcement remains part of the picture too. The Squamish RCMP and regional road safety units conduct impaired driving checks, speed enforcement, and distracted driving campaigns throughout the year, including in the Sea to Sky. Visible, sustained enforcement supports safer speeds and behaviour, which lowers the chance of the mistakes that lead to wrong-way entries or other severe conflicts. When enforcement and engineering work together—clear signs and markings backed by consistent policing—the combined effect is stronger than either on its own.
Season and time of day also matter on our corridor. Short winter days, glare at dawn or dusk, and dark, wet pavement can all diminish contrast and make it harder to read the road. Ensuring that ramp arrows, edge lines, and chevrons are highly reflective; that vegetation does not obscure sign faces; and that temporary construction signage does not conflict with permanent guidance are all basic, preventive measures. Drivers can help by using headlights at all times in poor weather, keeping windshields clear, and reducing speed when visibility drops.
For parents, commuters, and business owners in Squamish alike, the takeaway is straightforward: our community can treat this recent wrong-way incident as a learning moment. We can ask for a fresh look at key ramps and intersections, especially those with complex geometry or frequent tourist traffic. We can keep sharing observations with the agencies responsible for the highway. And we can model safe choices behind the wheel—planning lane changes early, avoiding distractions, and choosing the next exit if a turn is missed.
Squamish is growing, and so is travel on Highway 99. Continued coordination among the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure, Squamish RCMP, and District staff will be important to keep signage current, enforcement active, and the public informed. We have requested comment from the Ministry and local RCMP on any planned signage reviews or targeted enforcement related to wrong-way risk near Squamish; we will update readers as soon as information is confirmed.
If you see a dangerous situation in progress, call 911. For non-emergency road concerns such as damaged signs, poor markings, or debris, report the issue to the provincial highway maintenance line listed on roadside service signs or submit a request through DriveBC. General information about highway operations is available from the BC Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure, and Squamish RCMP share enforcement updates and safety reminders through their official channels. We will continue to follow this file and share any next steps from the Ministry or police as they become available.
