Squamish residents take pride in looking out for one another, and road safety is a big part of that shared responsibility. A local resident recently experienced a wrong-way driving incident on or near Highway 99, and while details are limited, the report is a reminder that busy corridors, changing weather, and unfamiliar road layouts can create conditions where small errors have big consequences. The goal now is to focus on what our community can do—together with provincial and local partners—to reduce risk and keep everyone safe.
At the time of publication, official confirmation and further information about the incident are pending. We have asked the Sea to Sky RCMP and the BC Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure for any available details and will provide updates once confirmed. In the meantime, it is worth considering what is already in place on the Sea to Sky and what steps could help prevent wrong-way movements or other high-risk maneuvers on and around Highway 99.
Highway 99 through the Squamish area is a provincial corridor managed by the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure. It handles a complex mix of traffic: local trips to work and school, commercial vehicles serving the region, and a high volume of visitors heading to the mountains, the trails, or onward to Whistler and Pemberton. Weekend peaks, shoulder seasons, and abrupt weather changes add to that complexity. The District of Squamish manages local roads and intersections that tie into the highway, while the Sea to Sky RCMP and provincial traffic units lead enforcement. This shared framework generally works well, but wrong-way entries—though uncommon—are high-risk events that can escalate quickly, especially on multi-lane or divided segments where drivers may not expect oncoming headlights.
The Ministry has implemented a number of safety measures on Highway 99 over the past decade, including median barriers on select stretches, rumble strips to alert drifting drivers, upgraded reflective signs and pavement markings, and variable speed limit systems in parts of the corridor to adjust speeds to weather and traffic conditions. At access points where highway design resembles a freeway ramp, provincial standards call for “Do Not Enter” and “Wrong Way” signs, directional arrows on the pavement, and other visual cues meant to guide drivers into the correct lanes, day or night. These measures are designed to reduce the chance of a wrong-way turn and to give drivers additional warnings if they do go astray.
Enforcement is another piece of the safety picture. The Sea to Sky RCMP and provincial traffic teams routinely conduct speed checks, impaired driving enforcement, and campaigns focused on distracted driving and seatbelts. If you encounter a vehicle travelling the wrong way or driving dangerously, the RCMP advises calling 911 when it is safe to do so and providing the best description you can—location, direction of travel, and vehicle details—without putting yourself or others at risk. After-the-fact reports can be directed to the non-emergency line, but imminent hazards should go to 911.
For many readers, the natural question is what else can be done. There are practical steps that can help, starting with a review of signage and lane guidance at key highway access points around Squamish. Intersections with complex lane splits, offset medians, or unusual turn pockets can be challenging for drivers unfamiliar with the area, especially in heavy rain or darkness. A focused look at these locations—checking sign placement and retroreflectivity, verifying that pavement arrows are clear and visible, and ensuring that vegetation or construction materials aren’t obscuring sightlines—can make a measurable difference. Where appropriate, additional cues such as oversized wrong-way signs, high-contrast pavement markings, or extra delineators at night can bolster the guidance already provided by provincial standards.
Provincially recognized safety reviews are typically data-driven. The Ministry and RCMP regularly analyze collision reports and near-miss data to identify patterns worth addressing. If residents notice recurring confusion at a particular location—for example, a left-turn area that drivers sometimes mistake for an entry into opposing lanes—sharing those observations helps officials prioritize their work. The District of Squamish can gather local input and pass it on through its established channels with the Ministry, supporting timely field checks and, if warranted, targeted improvements. When construction or detours are underway, clear temporary signage and consistent flagging also matter. Good detour design reduces the chance that a driver will accidentally follow the wrong line through a work zone, particularly after dark.
Community education continues to be a useful tool. A seasonal reminder on the District’s and RCMP’s social media channels about correct lane use at high-volume intersections, how to interpret variable speed limit signs, and what to do if you encounter a wrong-way driver can reach thousands of people quickly. Local employers, hotels, and adventure operators can help by including simple wayfinding and safety tips in booking confirmations and check-in information. The message is straightforward: slow down, read the signs, follow the arrows, and if something doesn’t look right, pull over safely and re-assess rather than trying to correct a mistake in moving traffic.
It is also important to recognize the role that weather and lighting play on the Sea to Sky. In fall and winter, low visibility can make road layouts harder to read. Drivers should use headlights at all times in poor weather, check DriveBC before heading out, and be prepared to adjust speed based on variable sign postings. Navigation apps can be helpful, but they are not a substitute for reading on-the-ground signs—particularly near intersections where local layouts have changed or where an app’s map data may lag behind recent improvements.
From a planning perspective, Squamish is growing, and so is the number of vehicles moving through the community. Coordinated work among the Ministry, the District, and RCMP remains key. A joint safety walk-through at priority locations, timed with seasonal changes or planned construction, can catch issues early. If the data suggest a pattern of wrong-way entries or near misses, officials can consider a package of measures, from small-scale fixes like fresh pavement arrows to more involved changes such as additional lighting or geometric adjustments where feasible. The aim is practical and balanced—improvements that help residents and visitors alike move confidently and safely.
No single measure prevents every incident, but a combination of clear signs, visible lane guidance, active enforcement, and consistent public information helps set safe expectations. Residents can support this work by reporting concerns to the District of Squamish for local roads and to the Ministry for highway matters, and by sharing specific details about times and locations when something felt confusing or unsafe. Constructive input supports better decisions, and in many cases, a small change can prevent a serious outcome.
We have requested information from the Sea to Sky RCMP on reported wrong-way incidents in the Squamish area and any recent enforcement actions tied to lane violations, impairment, or excessive speed. We have also asked the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure whether any signage or pavement marking reviews are planned for local highway access points in the coming months. We will update readers as soon as responses are available.
For real-time information on road conditions, incidents, and construction, DriveBC remains the primary source. Questions about local intersections and municipal road safety can be directed to the District of Squamish. Urgent concerns about dangerous driving should be reported to 911. Longer-term issues and near-miss observations can be submitted through the District’s service request system or to the Ministry’s regional office. Our newsroom will continue to monitor this issue and share confirmed updates, including any safety reviews or improvements the Ministry undertakes along Highway 99 in and around Squamish.
