Many of us in Squamish spend a good part of the week on Highway 99, whether for work, school, health appointments, or weekend plans. When something goes wrong on that road, it affects all of us. A recent report of a driver travelling the wrong way near Squamish is a reminder that even one high-risk incident can put families, commuters, and visitors in danger, and that local vigilance and clear accountability are essential to keeping our corridor safe.
Here’s what we can say now and what it means for community safety. A local resident recently encountered a vehicle going the wrong way on or near a Highway 99 access point in the Squamish area. We have asked Sea to Sky RCMP for details on the timing, location, and whether officers identified the vehicle or driver. Official comment was not immediately available at the time of publication. We will share confirmed updates as they come in.
Wrong-way events are uncommon, but the risk is severe. Even short stretches of wrong-way travel can lead to head-on collisions with little time for either driver to react. That reality is why incidents like this one don’t just prompt a “near miss” conversation—they should lead to a practical look at how well our current systems are working and what more can be done.
Highway 99 through the Sea to Sky region is a provincial route managed by the BC Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure (MOTI). Over the past decade and a half, MOTI has completed significant upgrades along the corridor, including safety-focused work such as improved sightlines in key areas, concrete barriers in higher-risk sections, rumble strips, wider shoulders, and new signage. On- and off-ramps are designed and signed to reduce wrong-way entries, typically with “Do Not Enter” and “Wrong Way” signs, directional pavement arrows, and reflective markers to guide drivers correctly, especially in low light or foul weather.
Even with these measures in place, winter conditions in our area can challenge visibility. Rain, snow, early nightfall, and glare from oncoming headlights can all reduce the time drivers have to see and respond to signs. Vegetation growth and routine wear on pavement markings can also reduce clarity if not maintained. For those reasons, a wrong-way report is often a signal for a fresh look at local ramps and signage: are the signs large enough, placed where drivers naturally look, and bright enough at night? Are arrows, reflectors, and lane markings in good condition? Is lighting adequate where drivers are making split-second choices?
Enforcement and education are the other key pieces. Sea to Sky RCMP, along with integrated traffic units, run regular enforcement on Highway 99 targeting speed, impaired driving, and distracted driving. Province-wide CounterAttack impaired driving campaigns take place seasonally and include checks along this corridor. While we await official details about the most recent incident, police typically encourage anyone who sees dangerous driving—wrong-way travel included—to call 911 when it’s safe to do so, provide location and direction of travel, and let officers handle the response.
ICBC’s public safety guidance is straightforward and worth repeating as a local refresher. If you encounter a vehicle coming toward you in your lane, your priority is to reduce risk quickly: slow down, move to the right as far as you safely can, do not attempt to overtake the wrong-way vehicle, and call 911 when you are stopped in a safe place. ICBC also stresses the role of impairment and distraction in serious crashes; staying sober, alert, and off the phone remains the foundation of prevention for every driver in the corridor.
Beyond individual habits, there are practical steps that can be considered locally. Municipal and provincial roles are different, but complementary. The District of Squamish does not control Highway 99, yet it can and often does relay community concerns to MOTI and collaborates on safety reviews and signage requests. A focused review of access points around town—particularly where drivers transition from local roads to the highway—can help identify if additional measures would improve clarity. Those measures could include larger “Do Not Enter” and “Wrong Way” signs mounted lower in the sightline of approaching drivers, enhanced reflectors and pavement arrows oriented toward the direction of travel, refreshed lane markings, vegetation trimming, and improved lighting where warranted.
Elsewhere in BC and across Canada, transportation agencies have also explored technology-based options at higher-risk locations. These include wrong-way detection systems that trigger flashing warnings when a vehicle enters a ramp incorrectly, as well as additional reflective devices on ramp noses and at decision points. The Ministry applies provincial standards to determine where such tools make sense. Asking MOTI to review local ramps against those standards would be a reasonable next step.
Community input helps direct those reviews to the right places. If you regularly use a specific interchange and have noticed confusing sightlines, worn pavement arrows, or signs that are hard to see at night or in bad weather, you can report those issues directly to MOTI through its online service request system. The District of Squamish also collects resident feedback about local traffic safety and shares it with the Province where Highway 99 is concerned. As always, in-the-moment hazards should be reported to 911.
Transparency matters, too. We have asked Sea to Sky RCMP if they can share available data on wrong-way driving calls and outcomes for the Squamish area, along with any patterns they’ve observed. We have also requested information from MOTI on the inspection schedule for signs, reflectors, and pavement markings at highway access points near town, and whether targeted upgrades are planned. If those details are provided, we’ll include them in a follow-up so residents know what’s being done and where further input could help.
In the meantime, it’s worth remembering what has already made a difference on the Sea to Sky: consistent enforcement, clear signage, and steady maintenance. Highway 99 will always carry a mix of local traffic and visitors, and with that comes a wide range of familiarity with our interchanges and conditions. Simple, visible cues—bright signs, crisp arrows, and clear lane guidance—are what help a tired driver or a tourist make the right call in a split second.
As a community, we can keep the focus practical. If you see something confusing at a ramp, document it and report it. If you have teens or new drivers in the house, review what to do if a wrong-way vehicle approaches. If you notice a sign blocked by branches or a faded arrow, flag it for maintenance. These small actions add up, and they are the things we can control while we wait for official reviews.
We will continue to monitor this situation and update readers as Sea to Sky RCMP and the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure confirm details or announce changes. For immediate hazards, always call 911. For non-emergency road concerns, residents can contact the Sea to Sky RCMP detachment’s non-emergency line, and highway maintenance or signage issues can be submitted to MOTI through its service request portal. If the Ministry confirms a safety review of local ramps or new measures for wrong-way prevention in the Squamish area, we will share that information here.
Road safety on Highway 99 is a shared responsibility. One report of a wrong-way driver is one too many, and it’s also a chance to make sure the basics—clear signs, good lighting, strong enforcement, and informed drivers—are all in place. That’s how we keep our neighbours safe and our corridor moving.
