When something unsettling happens on the highway that runs through our town, it tends to stick with us. A recent report of a wrong‑way driver near Squamish is one of those moments that prompts a larger conversation: how we keep people safe on Highway 99, how we respond when something goes wrong, and what practical steps might reduce the chance of it happening again.
What we know at this stage is limited. A local resident recently experienced a wrong‑way driving incident on or near Highway 99. There are no official details yet about where it occurred, whether the driver was located, or what may have led to it. We have asked Squamish RCMP and the BC Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure (the Ministry) for comment and will share confirmed information as it becomes available.
Even without specifics, the safety issue is clear. Wrong‑way driving incidents are uncommon, but they carry a high risk because they often involve vehicles travelling at highway speeds with little time to react. Factors that can contribute include driver confusion at interchanges, impairment, fatigue, and poor visibility. We do not know if any of these were involved in the recent report, and it would be unfair to speculate. The takeaway for most of us is simpler: even a single wrong‑way event is one too many on a corridor that our families, co‑workers, and neighbours use every day.
It helps to understand who does what on this stretch of road. Highway 99 is a provincial highway. The Ministry is responsible for how it is designed, signed, and operated, while a provincial maintenance contractor handles day‑to‑day upkeep such as signs, lighting, line painting, and snow and ice control. Squamish RCMP respond to calls about dangerous driving and coordinate with other police units along the Sea to Sky. The District of Squamish, while not in charge of the highway itself, advocates for local needs and manages the municipal roads that connect to Highway 99. Keeping people safe on and around the highway is a shared job, and it works best when information flows quickly among all of the above—and from residents who spot hazards in real time.
Squamish residents will remember that much of the Sea to Sky Highway was upgraded ahead of the 2010 Winter Olympics, with changes aimed at safety and reliability: widened sections, improved sightlines, separation in some locations, and better intersections and interchanges. In the years since, the Ministry has continued with incremental improvements—things like refreshed road markings, updated signage, new lighting in select areas, and measures to calm speeds at key access points. Typical countermeasures against wrong‑way entries at off‑ramps and intersections include larger “Do Not Enter” and “Wrong Way” signs, clearer directional arrows on the pavement, channelized islands that make the correct path obvious, and reflective treatments to improve night visibility. After incidents are reported, transportation agencies commonly review the location to see whether more of these measures are warranted.
Enforcement and education are the other big pieces. RCMP detachments in the Sea to Sky run ongoing enforcement for impaired, distracted, and high‑risk driving, often with seasonal campaigns that coincide with long weekends and peak tourism periods. When drivers encounter an immediate hazard like a suspected wrong‑way vehicle, the guidance is straightforward across British Columbia: call 911 so dispatchers can get information to police and, if needed, alert other road users. If you are on the highway and become aware of a wrong‑way vehicle nearby, the safest choices are to reduce speed, move right, and create space. Do not attempt to signal or block another driver; leave that to police. Once you are in a safe spot, make the call and share as much detail as you can about location, direction of travel, and vehicle description.
Locally, residents have long flagged stretches of Highway 99 through town where on‑ and off‑ramps, frontage roads, and closely spaced intersections can be confusing, particularly for visitors or drivers unfamiliar with the area at night or in heavy rain. The combination of high traffic volumes, speed transitions, and complex layouts can increase the chances of a wrong turn turning into a high‑risk situation. These concerns are not new; they come up in neighbourhood meetings, on community boards, and in feedback to the District’s transportation staff. The recent report brings those conversations back to the surface with a renewed urgency.
What might change as a result? First, a focused review of the reported area is a reasonable expectation. That usually starts with a look at crash and near‑miss data, 911 call records, and any patrol notes that can pinpoint time of day and direction. On the ground, engineers check sightlines, sign placement, the condition and size of “Do Not Enter/Wrong Way” signs, the clarity of pavement arrows, and whether channelization or median treatments could better “guide” drivers into the proper lanes. Small fixes can have an outsized impact: a relocated sign that clears a driver’s line of sight, a larger sign face or added reflective border that pops at night, a fresh coat of lane arrows, or an island that physically discourages the wrong movement.
Second, awareness matters. With Squamish’s growth and a steady stream of regional visitors, more people are navigating Highway 99 for the first time. A short, practical campaign—reminders about correct ramp use, what to do if you miss your turn, and how to report hazards—could help. Partners for that kind of message include Squamish RCMP, the Ministry, the District, and ICBC, which already supports community road‑safety education. Local groups—from parent advisory councils to service clubs—are often willing to amplify clear, non‑alarmist tips that make everyday travel a bit safer.
Third, this is a good moment to use data we already have. The Ministry tracks traffic volumes and operates roadside counters along the Sea to Sky. ICBC maintains collision statistics that can be filtered by route and municipality. While wrong‑way incidents are rare and not always captured in collision data, pairing those numbers with 911 call logs and local observations can identify patterns that deserve attention. If residents have dashcam footage of a hazard, it can be valuable to police investigations when shared through proper reporting channels. Evidence makes it easier for agencies to target the right locations with the right fix.
Finally, maintenance timing can make a difference. Line painting typically ramps up with spring weather, and reflective markings fade more quickly on high‑volume corridors like Highway 99. If you notice worn arrows at a ramp, a knocked‑down sign, or lighting that is out at an intersection, flag it. The provincial highway maintenance contractor operates a 24/7 reporting line listed on its website, and issues can also be routed through the Ministry’s online service request portals. Closer to home, the District of Squamish accepts transportation feedback for municipal routes that connect to the highway. Sharing the exact location, direction of travel, and a photo if safe to take helps crews find and fix problems faster.
None of this replaces enforcement. Impairment remains a leading risk factor on BC roads, and the Sea to Sky is no exception. RCMP run regular roadside checks, and community reporting helps them deploy resources where they are most effective. It is worth repeating: if you believe a driver is impaired or travelling the wrong way, call 911.
As we wait for official information on the reported incident, the broader goal is steady, practical progress. Squamish has a strong track record of community engagement on transportation, and Highway 99 is central to our daily routines—school runs, shift changes, medical appointments, and everything in between. A small set of targeted improvements, paired with enforcement and clear public information, can lower risk without adding complexity for drivers who already do the right thing.
We have requested comment from Squamish RCMP on their response to the recent report, and from the Ministry on whether a site review and any signage or layout changes are planned. This story will be updated as soon as we receive and verify those details. For travellers looking for timely road information, visit DriveBC for advisories and the Ministry’s channels for project updates. In the meantime, if you encounter a serious hazard on Highway 99, call 911; if you spot a maintenance issue, report it to the provincial highway maintenance contractor or through the Ministry’s service request page. Your observations help keep the whole community safe.
