Road safety is a shared responsibility in Squamish, and when something goes wrong on our streets or along Highway 99, the whole community feels it. A local resident recently experienced a wrong-way driving incident, and while official details are still pending, the report has prompted a wider conversation: How do we reduce the risk of high-consequence mistakes, and what practical steps can residents, the District, the RCMP, and the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure take together to prevent them?
Wrong-way driving is rare but serious. Even a brief lapse or a confusing sign can put people at risk, especially where local roads meet the highway or where traffic patterns change with construction and growth. In Squamish, we see a complex mix of conditions—fast-moving highway traffic, at-grade intersections, school and commuter peaks, and seasonal spikes in visitor volumes. The combination means that small design issues or unclear wayfinding can have outsized consequences. The recent report serves as a reminder to re-check the basics: signage, lane markings, lighting, and public awareness about what to do when someone ends up facing the wrong direction.
Highway 99 through the Sea to Sky corridor is managed by the BC Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure (MOTI). Municipal streets and local signage fall under the District of Squamish. Enforcement is shared: the Squamish RCMP detachment works in coordination with BC Highway Patrol along Highway 99, while the RCMP handles day-to-day enforcement in town. Each partner plays a distinct role, and coordination among them is key when concerns are raised about potential hot spots or recurring driver confusion.
MOTI has implemented a number of corridor-wide safety measures over the past decade, many of which Squamish drivers know well. These include variable speed limit systems on segments north of town, rumble strips in select areas, and improved roadside reflectors and guiderails. Maintenance and incident response on the South Coast, including Sea to Sky, are handled by MOTI’s highway maintenance contractor, which is responsible for signage upkeep, lane markings, and lighting checks on provincial roads. On municipal streets, the District continues to upgrade crosswalks, calm traffic through targeted design, and re-stripe markings as part of its regular maintenance program. These measures all help, but wrong-way incidents often come down to very local details—how an intersection feels at night or in the rain, how a median or channelized turn reads to an unfamiliar driver, or whether a “Do Not Enter” is placed where it’s most likely to be seen.
From a road-safety perspective, the highest-value opportunities are usually straightforward. Transportation guidelines used in BC, including the Transportation Association of Canada’s design standards, point to a few proven tools. Larger and more conspicuous “Do Not Enter” and “Wrong Way” signs at highway off-ramps or one-way exits reduce error. Pavement arrows placed closer to the decision point help drivers orient quickly. Reflective delineators and lane separators—especially where there’s an unusual geometry—give visual cues in poor weather. In locations where data supports it, LED-enhanced signage can add another layer of visibility. On local roads, painted islands or small medians guiding turns can make it much harder to commit a wrong-way entry in the first place.
Education and enforcement also matter. The RCMP regularly reminds drivers that impairment, distraction, and speed remain top contributors to severe crashes across BC. Those factors can make wrong-way mistakes more likely and more dangerous. Seasonal enforcement efforts—from impaired driving checks to distracted driving campaigns—are in place throughout the year. If you see a driver heading the wrong direction, the guidance is simple: pull over safely and call 911. Provide as much detail as you can about the location, direction of travel, vehicle description, and any immediate hazards. If you’re reporting after the fact and no longer see the vehicle, the non-emergency RCMP line is appropriate. For concerns about road signs or markings on Highway 99, residents can contact the MOTI maintenance contractor; for municipal roads, the District’s service request system is the right channel. Quick, clear reports help road authorities respond faster and build a record of locations that may warrant a closer look.
Where should a safety review start in Squamish? Local knowledge is invaluable. Residents know which intersections feel confusing in the dark or after a snowfall, when heavy weekend traffic meets local errands and school sports. An initial, low-cost step is a site-led signage and marking audit at highway access points and busy connectors—prioritizing places where turning movements, medians, or visibility might contribute to driver error. That review typically checks sign placement and size, sight lines, pavement arrows and edge lines, reflectivity at night, and how the approach reads to someone seeing it for the first time. If a pattern emerges, MOTI and the District can then evaluate targeted upgrades using established safety criteria.
Data should guide the next actions. Where the RCMP or MOTI collisions database shows near-misses or calls for service at specific locations, those sites should move to the top of the list. Even without a collision record, repeated public reports are a useful signal. Many of the most effective fixes are modest—adjusting a sign location, refreshing worn markings, or changing delineation so the intended path is obvious. In a few cases, geometry changes or raised islands may be warranted. The goal is to reduce complexity at the exact point where split-second decisions are made.
Public awareness can run in parallel. A short local campaign—through the District, RCMP, and community partners—can remind drivers of the basics: watch for “Do Not Enter” and one-way indications, follow pavement arrows, and avoid distracted or impaired driving. Squamish residents are experienced in winter driving, but it’s still worth emphasizing that visibility, glare, and fatigue all increase the risk of a wrong-way error. Visitors, too, benefit from clear wayfinding during peak seasons; consistent signage helps a driver unfamiliar with town make the right choice under pressure.
There is also value in a simple message about what to do if you realize you have turned the wrong way. While we do not offer individual legal advice, road-safety agencies consistently recommend the same steps: stop as soon as it’s safe, turn on hazard lights, and correct your direction only when the way is clear. If you are on a divided roadway or a highway off-ramp, do not attempt a sudden U-turn into traffic—wait for a safe opportunity or seek assistance. The RCMP can offer specific guidance for the situation if you call for help.
As of publication, Squamish RCMP has not released details related to the reported wrong-way incident. We have asked both the RCMP and the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure if any signage or safety review is underway at local highway access points, and whether recent calls for service indicate particular locations of concern in Squamish. We will share confirmed updates as soon as they are available.
In the meantime, residents who want to help can do three things. First, report hazards promptly—call 911 for an active wrong-way driver, RCMP non-emergency for after-the-fact reports, MOTI’s maintenance contractor for highway signage issues, and the District’s service request system for municipal roads. Second, drive defensively on approach to Highway 99, especially at night or in poor weather; expect the unexpected and scan early for signage and lane guidance. Third, participate when the District or MOTI seeks community input on transportation safety; local experience often points to practical, cost-effective fixes.
Squamish has grown quickly and our transportation network is adapting. A single incident does not define safety on our roads, but it is a useful prompt to verify that the basics are working as intended. Clear signs, visible markings, consistent enforcement, and a culture of attentive driving are the foundation. With community input and coordination among the District, the RCMP, and MOTI, we can reduce the chance of wrong-way errors and keep daily trips—for families, workers, and visitors—safe and predictable.
For official updates on highway operations and incidents, check DriveBC. For enforcement and safety information, follow the Squamish RCMP and BC Highway Patrol. Questions about provincial highway signage and maintenance can be directed to the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure through its regional maintenance contractor. Municipal road concerns can be sent to the District of Squamish through its online service request portal. We will continue to monitor this issue and report back as agencies confirm next steps.
