Squamish residents are talking about road safety again after a local resident recently experienced a wrong-way driving incident. While events like this are uncommon, they are high risk. The conversation they spark matters: how well our highways and access points are signed and lit, how drivers react in the moment, and how quickly authorities review locations that may be confusing, especially at night or in poor weather.
Highway 99 is the spine of our community and the Sea to Sky corridor. It’s managed by the BC Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure (MoTI), with enforcement led by the RCMP and BC Highway Patrol. The District of Squamish is responsible for local streets that connect to the highway. Together, these agencies influence how safe our daily trips feel, from neighbourhood errands to winter drives to and from the city.
Official details about the recent wrong-way encounter are still being confirmed. We have asked Sea to Sky RCMP and MoTI whether a formal report was received and if a location-specific review is underway. If and when those confirmations come, we will share them. In the meantime, it’s worth looking at the broader picture: what the province already does on Highway 99 to prevent wrong-way movements, and what additional steps could help.
Since the major upgrades ahead of the 2010 Winter Games, Highway 99 has seen safety improvements that include realigned curves, added lanes in some segments, centreline and shoulder rumble strips, and new signage. MoTI uses standard “Do Not Enter” and “Wrong Way” signs at off-ramps and access points, reflective posts and chevrons to guide drivers through interchanges, and pavement arrows that show the intended travel direction. Those measures are designed to reduce errors and provide clear cues, especially after dark or in rain.
Even with these tools in place, wrong-way entries can happen. Across BC, provincial road-safety reporting regularly identifies speed, distraction and impairment as major contributors to serious crashes. Confusing geometry at complex intersections, low visibility, fatigue, and unfamiliarity with an area can also play a role in a driver choosing the wrong ramp or turn. On a corridor like the Sea to Sky—where light levels, weather and traffic volumes can change quickly—small mistakes may carry bigger consequences.
Local enforcement and education are part of the response. Sea to Sky RCMP and BC Highway Patrol run ongoing campaigns against impaired and distracted driving and conduct targeted speed enforcement on Highway 99. Seasonal operations increase during long weekends and winter months, when visibility issues and slippery conditions become more common. These checks are not just about tickets; they’re also meant to deter risky decisions that can lead to head‑on situations, including wrong‑way driving.
There are also engineering options that can be added where needed. Transportation agencies in BC and elsewhere have used enhanced measures at problem ramps or access points, such as larger or lower‑mounted “Wrong Way” signs to match a driver’s line of sight, additional “Do Not Enter” signs on the far side of channelized islands, red reflective markers facing the wrong direction, extra pavement arrows and edge‑line treatments, rumble strips or raised elements across ramp throats, and improved lighting at decision points. These tools do not replace enforcement or driver responsibility, but they can help prevent a single error from turning into a head‑on collision.
Local knowledge can support that work. If residents experience confusion at a specific highway access—or observe behaviour that suggests others might—sharing that information with authorities helps prioritize reviews. On provincial highways, MoTI is the point of contact for signage and layout concerns, while the District can examine issues on municipal approaches that lead to the highway. Coordinated reviews often look at the full path a driver takes to reach a ramp, not only the last sign they see.
Knowing what to do in the moment also matters. If you encounter a vehicle travelling toward you on a divided highway, slow down, move to the right as far as it is safe to do so, and create space to avoid a head‑on. Do not try to block or confront the other driver. When you can stop in a safe place, call 911 and report what you saw. If you are the one who realizes you have turned the wrong way, pull over as soon as it’s safe, turn on your hazard lights, and call 911 for guidance. On undivided sections, the safest move is to reduce speed, pull well off the roadway if possible, and let the other driver pass while you alert police.
Dashcams and clear descriptions help investigators. If you have video of a suspected wrong-way incident, you can offer it to Sea to Sky RCMP. Provide the date and time, nearest access point or landmark, direction of travel, and any vehicle details you noted. If it’s not an emergency, use the non‑emergency line to arrange safe sharing of footage. Accurate reports allow police and MoTI to identify patterns, which is how many safety upgrades are prioritized.
Closer to home, the District of Squamish continues to roll out traffic calming and crossing upgrades on municipal streets, especially where neighbourhood routes meet busier corridors. Stronger wayfinding and lane markings on local approaches can reduce last‑minute lane changes or turns near highway ramps. Coordination between the District and MoTI is important anywhere local roads feed directly onto Highway 99; residents can expect both agencies to share information when a concern spans jurisdictions.
None of this replaces the basics. Responsible driving is still the most effective prevention. That means not driving impaired, putting the phone away, and slowing down well ahead of decision points at night or in winter conditions. It also means staying patient with visitors and new residents who may be learning the corridor; clear signs help, but courteous driving gives everyone more time to correct a mistake before it becomes dangerous.
We have asked Sea to Sky RCMP whether a formal file exists related to the recent wrong‑way report, and we have requested that MoTI confirm if any signage or design review is planned in the area. Official comment is pending. If a site‑specific review is initiated, we will share what’s being examined and any resulting changes to signs, markings or lighting.
For real‑time road conditions and incident notifications, visit DriveBC. For local transportation updates, see the District of Squamish website. Safety concerns on Highway 99 can be sent to MoTI, and enforcement questions can be directed to Sea to Sky RCMP or BC Highway Patrol. We will continue to follow this discussion and provide updates as they’re confirmed.
The bottom line for Squamish is simple: the safer our decision points, the clearer our signs, and the steadier our driving, the fewer close calls we will face. A single report can be enough to trigger a fresh look at a ramp or intersection. If you’ve noticed a location that feels confusing after dark or in winter weather, now is the right time to speak up—and to keep doing the everyday things that make our roads safer for everyone.
The Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure is reviewing the area for safety improvements. We will update readers when official details are available from MoTI and Sea to Sky RCMP.
