Many Squamish residents have been talking about road safety again after a local resident recently experienced a wrong-way driving incident in our area. While events like this are rare, they carry serious risk. They also provide a practical moment to check in on what’s working on and around Highway 99, what’s being reviewed, and how our community can help prevent similar situations.
Highway 99 through the Sea to Sky corridor is one of B.C.’s busiest and most complex routes. It threads together commuter traffic, commercial vehicles, visitors unfamiliar with local roads, and year-round outdoor recreation. In such a mix, clear signs, visible markings, good lighting, and consistent enforcement matter. The province’s Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure (MOTI) manages the highway, while the Squamish RCMP detachment responds to dangerous driving and coordinates enforcement with provincial and regional partners. We’ve asked both agencies for details about any related response and whether safety reviews are underway; we’ll update readers as information is confirmed.
Wrong-way driving can happen for a few reasons, including driver confusion in low light or poor weather, distraction, or impairment. It only takes a momentary lapse to put people in harm’s way, which is why established measures focus on stopping a mistake before it becomes a collision. Across B.C., MOTI uses standard countermeasures at interchanges and ramps such as “Do Not Enter” and “Wrong Way” signs, directional arrows on the pavement, and reflective markers to guide drivers. Rumble strips, enhanced lane markings, and improved visibility at decision points are also part of the toolbox used to reduce the chance that someone turns against the intended flow of traffic.
Closer to home, the Sea to Sky saw substantial upgrades ahead of the 2010 Winter Games and ongoing safety improvements since then. These have included wider shoulders in many sections, guardrails and median barriers where feasible, and better sightlines at curves and intersections. While these investments have improved the corridor overall, changing traffic volumes and the growing number of first-time visitors to Squamish mean agencies regularly revisit signage and markings to keep pace with conditions on the ground. That kind of continuous review is standard practice for MOTI and its highway maintenance contractors. If a particular ramp or intersection is identified as confusing or high-risk, agencies can look at additional treatments, from larger or lower-mounted signs to brighter reflectivity, added arrows, or even lighting changes.
Enforcement remains a key piece of prevention. RCMP detachments in the Sea to Sky routinely run traffic-safety operations with support from ICBC, including impaired driving enforcement, distracted driving campaigns, speed checks, and seasonal initiatives like CounterAttack roadchecks. Province-wide data show speed, impairment, and distraction are leading factors in serious crashes. While the cause of the recent incident has not been confirmed, the same prevention message applies: sober, attentive driving and strict adherence to signs are the best defences, especially when navigating unfamiliar highway ramps or making night-time turns.
For residents, there are a few practical steps that support safety without putting anyone in danger. If you encounter or suspect a wrong-way driver, call 911 as soon as it is safe to do so and provide the location, direction of travel, and a vehicle description. If you notice a sign blocked by vegetation, a faded pavement arrow, or a confusing turn layout on the highway, report it to MOTI through their service request channels; issues on municipal streets can be reported to the District of Squamish through its service request portal or by phone. Timely, specific reports help road crews target fixes and help police focus their patrols.
Community feedback also helps shape longer-term improvements. Local driving patterns shift as neighbourhoods grow, new businesses open, and visitor traffic increases. Residents who use the same interchanges day in and day out can flag the kinds of small issues—like a sign placed too high to catch headlights at night, or a lane arrow that’s hard to see in the rain—that don’t always show up on a plan drawing. Sharing those observations with MOTI and the District supports evidence-based decisions and ensures improvements match real-world conditions.
Education has a role to play as well. Many drivers new to the corridor may be accustomed to different ramp designs or signage styles. Helping visitors understand how Highway 99 is signed—what white lines versus yellow lines mean, how arrows guide you through a turn, and why it’s important to follow posted directional signage even when GPS suggests a different path—can prevent confusion before it happens. Local businesses, tourism operators, and event organizers can assist by sharing simple reminders about highway safety and by providing clear directions that steer patrons onto the correct on-ramps and exits.
From a planning standpoint, this moment may warrant a focused signage and markings check at key interchanges serving Squamish. That could include reviewing “Do Not Enter” and “Wrong Way” sign placement and size, confirming pavement arrows remain visible year-round, checking reflectivity at night and in rain, and trimming vegetation that obscures sightlines. If needed, agencies can consider additional measures such as extra directional arrows in advance of ramps, supplemental red reflective devices facing opposing traffic at off-ramps, or improved illumination at decision points. These are routine, cost-effective steps that can make a measurable difference.
On the enforcement side, targeted patrols during peak driver-confusion times—dark early mornings, late evenings, or severe weather—may help deter risky behaviour and catch errors quickly. Continuing RCMP and ICBC partnerships on impaired and distracted driving enforcement remains essential. Given how severe wrong-way collisions can be, timely intervention is critical.
It’s also worth remembering jurisdictional boundaries. Highway 99 is under provincial control, while the District manages local roads. Coordination between MOTI, the District, and the Squamish RCMP detachment is ongoing and important. When residents submit concerns, noting whether an issue is on a municipal street or the highway speeds up routing to the right team. In some cases, fixes on local collector roads that feed into the highway—such as clearer lane markings or directional signs—can complement provincial measures by helping drivers make the right choice earlier.
As we hear more about the recent incident, we will keep the focus where it belongs: on lessons that strengthen safety. Our readers consistently ask for pragmatic solutions and accountability, not dramatics. That means clear information from agencies, timely maintenance where it’s needed, regular enforcement, and community input that helps decision-makers see what locals see from the driver’s seat.
We have requested comment from the Squamish RCMP and the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure about any response to the reported wrong-way driving incident and whether a signage or markings review is planned in the Squamish area. We will share updates once they are confirmed. In the meantime, residents can report highway maintenance concerns to MOTI through its service request channels and municipal roadway concerns to the District of Squamish. For immediate hazards or suspected impaired or wrong-way driving, call 911. DriveBC provides current highway conditions and advisories, and ICBC offers seasonal safety information and tips for drivers who are new to the Sea to Sky corridor.
Keeping our roads safe is a shared effort. With continued attention from the province and police, practical feedback from residents, and small design tweaks where warranted, Squamish can reduce the chance of wrong-way errors and keep our families and neighbours safer on Highway 99. We will update this story as official information becomes available and as agencies confirm any next steps. According to the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure, the corridor is under ongoing monitoring, and we expect the area to be reviewed for safety improvements as needed.
