More lights are required on the Albany Ring Road before an accident happens, writes Albany resident Mario Lionetti.

As a local resident, I am warning that Main Roads WA is waiting for a fatal tragedy on the new Albany Ring Road (Menang Drive) before fixing a lethal, pitch-black design flaw.

The only two heavy vehicle rest bays on the multi-million-dollar freight route located directly opposite Reddale Road have zero street lighting.

At night, truck drivers are forced to manage fatigue, unhook multi-tonne trailers, and check heavy load security in absolute darkness right next to a high-speed highway.

As a local resident and ratepayer, I’ve escalated the issue to the Member for Albany Scott Leary after being met with a total wall of silence from the Transport Minister and Main Roads WA.

This is not a hypothetical risk. There has already been two truck accidents in this location.

The State Government aggressively hammers truckies over fatigue laws, but forces them into a pitch-black trap to rest.

Walking around a heavy combination vehicle at night to adjust chains, straps or unhook a trailer without lighting makes these drivers sitting ducks.

It is a deadly workplace hazard.

Despite a formal emergency warning submitted on August 31, 2026, not a single government department has responded or acknowledged the risk.

Main Roads and the Minister are completely ghosting us while a death trap sits on Menang Drive.

Are we waiting for a truck driver or a local family to be killed before they install a few solar streetlights?

We don’t want excuses after a fatal crash — we want the lights turned on now.

Mario Lionetti, McKail

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