Many of us use Highway 99 every day, and most of us have a story about a close call that made us slow down and think. A recent wrong‑way driving incident reported by a local resident is one of those moments. While details are still being confirmed by authorities, the report is a useful reminder that safety on the Sea to Sky corridor depends on infrastructure that’s clear, enforcement that’s visible, and a community that looks out for one another—especially when conditions change and traffic patterns get complicated.
Wrong‑way events are rare, but they are high‑risk because they can lead to head‑on collisions. They tend to happen where drivers face unfamiliar lane configurations, reduced visibility, or temporary detours, such as at complex intersections, construction zones, or highway access points. On the Sea to Sky, those challenges can be magnified by weather, darkness, and the mix of local, commuter, and tourist traffic. When something like this is reported in Squamish, it is reasonable for residents to ask two questions at once: how we can prevent it from happening again, and how each of us should respond if we encounter it.
Sea to Sky RCMP remind drivers that if you see a vehicle travelling the wrong way and there is an immediate risk to life or safety, pull over safely and call 911. If you’ve captured dash‑cam footage that could help, you can share it with police after the fact through the non‑emergency line. Officers investigate these reports and, when appropriate, look at factors that are commonly associated with serious driving errors, including impairment, distraction, and medical distress. At the same time, they also work with road authorities when signage, lighting, or markings could be made clearer. We have requested comment from the Sea to Sky RCMP about the recent report and will publish updates once they are available.
The Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure (MOTI) is responsible for Highway 99. Over the past two decades, the Sea to Sky corridor has seen substantial safety upgrades that many residents will remember: added passing lanes, shoulder widening, median and shoulder rumble strips, high‑visibility signage, and rockfall protection in higher‑risk sections. Those improvements have made a difference, but the highway remains a challenging mountain route with tight curves and variable conditions. When concerns arise about specific locations, MOTI can conduct site reviews that look at sightlines, sign placement, pavement arrows, lane delineation, illumination, and roadside reflectors. In areas prone to driver confusion, additional measures may include larger “Do Not Enter” and “Wrong Way” signs at potential wrong‑turn points, enhanced chevrons through curves, and upgraded lighting where feasible. We have asked MOTI whether a targeted review will be undertaken in relation to the recent report; confirmation is pending.
Within town limits, the District of Squamish manages local roads and works with MOTI on highway‑adjacent intersections. In recent years, the District has expanded traffic‑calming, refreshed crosswalks, and added curb extensions in busy pedestrian areas. Those steps aim to lower conflict speeds and make intentions more obvious for everyone using the road. While wrong‑way incidents are more often associated with highway environments, the same principles apply on municipal streets: clear markings, consistent speeds, and predictable design reduce the odds of serious mistakes. District staff can also initiate conversations with MOTI when residents flag highway trouble spots that affect local access or create confusion at nearby intersections.
Residents who drive the corridor day in and day out are often the first to notice where lane markings have faded, a sign is partially obscured, or lighting isn’t doing enough on a rainy night. If something doesn’t feel right at a specific location—whether that’s an off‑ramp, an intersection, or a detour during construction—report it. For highway issues, contact MOTI’s regional operations office or submit a service request; for municipal roads, Service Squamish can route your concern to transportation staff. When multiple reports point to the same spot, it strengthens the case for a formal review. Community input isn’t just “nice to have” here; it’s one of the fastest ways to turn local observation into practical fixes.
Seasonal conditions also matter. Through late fall and winter, dusk comes early, rain reduces contrast on the road, and snow or slush can obscure lane lines. Those conditions make simple habits more important: use headlights whenever visibility is low, keep your windshield and headlights clean, follow lane arrows, and avoid last‑second lane changes at intersections or highway access points. On Highway 99, where curves limit sight distance, staying right except when passing, keeping speeds consistent with the flow, and planning merges early give everyone more time to react. None of these steps solve the problem by themselves, but they buy precious seconds if someone ahead makes a mistake.
Road‑safety advocates in B.C. often point to a layered approach: education, engineering, and enforcement working together. On the enforcement side, RCMP and partner agencies run seasonal campaigns targeting impaired, distracted, and aggressive driving. Those checks are well publicized, but they’re only part of the picture. Engineering changes—like rumble strips that alert a drifting driver, or oversized “Do Not Enter” signs at driveway‑style highway accesses—work 24/7, even when nobody is watching. Education rounds it out: quick refreshers on when to yield at a complex intersection, or where to expect a lane drop, can make a real difference for visitors and new residents who are still learning their way around.
As Squamish grows, traffic volumes and turning movements change. A left that felt comfortable five years ago may now back up at busy times; a simple two‑way stop may need clearer channelization or turn pockets. Regular data collection and collision‑pattern analysis help road authorities prioritize the most effective interventions. Where wrong‑way risks are concerned, the first step is often a signage and marking audit that checks for consistency, visibility at night and in rain, and whether arrows, medians, or delineators are directing drivers as intended. If a pattern is found, relatively small changes—an added sign, a relocated sign, refreshed paint, a flexible post, or a new light standard—can have an outsized impact.
Community groups and parent councils have also made road safety a standing agenda item in Squamish, particularly around schools and busy recreation access points. Those networks can be helpful here as well. If your neighbourhood association is hearing repeated concerns about a specific access to or from Highway 99, consider compiling those observations and sending them to both the District and MOTI. Coordinated feedback often leads to quicker site visits and clearer next steps.
For now, the main takeaway is straightforward. A wrong‑way incident has been reported locally, and while the specific circumstances are still being confirmed, it is a timely cue to review the basics: if you see it, pull over safely and call 911; if you’ve captured useful video, share it with police; and if you notice a location where the road design could be clearer, report it so the right agency can take a look. We’re following up with Sea to Sky RCMP and the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure about any reviews or enforcement actions prompted by the recent report, and we will share updates once they are confirmed.
If you have a safety concern on a municipal street, contact Service Squamish. For highway issues, residents can reach the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure’s regional operations office or submit a request through the province’s service channels. For live highway conditions, check DriveBC before you travel. In the meantime, let’s keep the conversation going—and keep each other safe—by reporting concerns promptly and driving with extra care on the corridor we all share.
Updates will be posted as we receive official information. We have asked the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure whether a safety review will be undertaken at the location raised in recent reports, and we have requested Sea to Sky RCMP comment on response protocols and any recent enforcement activity related to wrong‑way driving in the corridor.
