Highway 99 is the thread that ties Squamish together each day — for work, school, errands, and weekend trips. When something disrupts that routine, even briefly, it ripples through the community. A local resident recently experienced a wrong-way driving incident on the highway near Squamish. While full details are still being confirmed, the report has prompted many of us to look again at how we keep one another safe on busy corridors that serve residents, commuters, and visitors alike.
Wrong-way incidents are uncommon, but the risk they carry is high. They are also the kind of event that raises immediate questions: Are drivers getting clear direction at on- and off-ramps? Is the signage visible in the dark and rain? Do construction detours and winter road conditions add to confusion at certain access points? These are reasonable questions, and they point to the shared responsibilities of drivers, the province, and local authorities.
The BC Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure (MOTI) is responsible for the design, signage, and maintenance of Highway 99. Across the Sea to Sky, the ministry has, over time, added measures aimed at reducing serious collisions, including improved signage and pavement markings, lighting in select locations, and rumble strips on many centre lines and shoulders. The District of Squamish continues to coordinate with the province on local intersections and access management within municipal boundaries, and it regularly participates in planning that prioritizes road safety as the community grows.
On enforcement and education, the Squamish RCMP detachment and BC Highway Patrol – Sea to Sky conduct regular patrols and seasonal campaigns that target speeding, impairment, distracted driving, and high-risk behaviour. These efforts are often supported by community and provincial partners, including ICBC’s education programs and the volunteer-led Speed Watch initiative that operates with police oversight. Together, these actions form the baseline of how our region manages risk on a corridor that sees high traffic volumes and rapid changes in weather and visibility.
Even with these layers in place, wrong-way driving can occur. Drivers can become disoriented in darkness or heavy rain, follow a GPS prompt too closely in an unfamiliar area, or miss a sign at a complex junction. While the circumstances of the recent report are not yet confirmed, the takeaway for most residents is straightforward: clear signage and attentive driving both matter, and either one can make the difference in a tense moment.
From a design perspective, the tools to prevent wrong-way entries are well known. They include “Do Not Enter” and “Wrong Way” signs at off-ramps, larger and highly reflective signs at decision points, directional pavement arrows, and raised or rumble treatments that provide both visual and tactile cues. Vegetation trimming, routine replacement of faded signs, and prompt repainting of lane markings help keep those cues visible year-round. MOTI deploys many of these measures across the province, and community feedback can help pinpoint where another sign, brighter materials, or a line repaint could reduce confusion.
For drivers, simple habits go a long way. Taking an extra moment to assess an unfamiliar junction, watching for pavement arrows and median position before committing to a turn, and avoiding last-second lane changes all reduce the chance of an error. If you ever feel unsure about an access point on Highway 99, it is safer to continue to the next well-marked turnaround than to improvise a U-turn across live lanes. In the rare situation where you encounter a vehicle travelling the wrong way, police advise reducing speed, moving as far right as safely possible, and calling 911 when you can do so safely to report the location and direction of travel. Trying to flag down or block another vehicle is not recommended.
Local conversations this week have also touched on visibility in shoulder seasons. Squamish drivers know how quickly conditions can change from clear to foggy, or from daylight to darkness, during a single trip. Reflective signage, fresh paint, and functioning street lighting near intersections help, but so do headlights on in low light, clean windshields, and a speed that matches conditions rather than the posted limit. These are small, practical choices that make signs and markings easier to see when it matters most.
Community members have asked what can happen next in response to the recent report. The first step is confirmation and assessment by authorities. Squamish RCMP and BC Highway Patrol typically review calls like this and determine whether an investigation is needed. MOTI can then evaluate nearby signs, markings, and approach geometry to see if any changes would reduce the chance of confusion. If construction detours are in place, contractors are expected to use clear temporary signage that meets provincial standards, and to adjust it promptly if issues arise.
Residents also play a role in surfacing practical fixes. If you notice a damaged or obscured sign, lane paint that has faded, or sightlines blocked by overgrowth, those issues can be reported directly to MOTI through its service request channels. Closer to home, concerns at municipal intersections can be submitted to the District of Squamish for review. These reports help maintenance crews and engineers prioritize work that has a direct impact on safety.
Education and outreach are another part of the solution. Seasonal reminders from local partners about navigating interchanges, winter driving, and construction zones are most effective when they are timely and specific to local conditions. Community groups, schools, and businesses can help amplify those messages. Many residents already participate in programs like Speed Watch or neighbourhood safety committees. Adding a focus on clear signage and safe access points to those efforts is a natural fit for Squamish’s hands-on, community-minded approach.
It is worth acknowledging the emotional side of close calls on the road. Even when no collision occurs, an unexpected encounter with a wrong-way vehicle can be unsettling. The calm response many in Squamish show after such moments — checking in with family, sharing concerns constructively with authorities, and looking for solutions — reflects a community that takes care of its own while keeping a steady focus on facts.
As of publication, official comment on the recent wrong-way report is pending. Squamish Blog has requested information from the Squamish RCMP and the BC Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure about any related response and whether a signage review is underway in the area. We will share updates as they are confirmed.
In the meantime, residents seeking verified information can monitor DriveBC for construction advisories and detours on Highway 99, contact MOTI for maintenance concerns or signage questions, and reach out to Squamish RCMP for policing-related matters. If you witness dangerous driving, call 911 when safe to do so. For non-emergency concerns, the local detachment can provide guidance on reporting options.
Highway 99 will continue to be busy, and Squamish will continue to grow. The way we meet that reality — by combining attentive driving with timely maintenance, clear signage, and steady enforcement — is what keeps everyday trips uneventful. The recent report is a reminder to take stock, speak up when something looks off, and support practical fixes that help everyone get home safely.
The Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure has been asked to review the area for safety improvements. For updates, residents can check DriveBC for current road conditions and advisories, contact MOTI for maintenance or signage requests, and follow the Squamish RCMP and BC Highway Patrol – Sea to Sky for enforcement and safety information. We will update this story as new, confirmed details become available.
