Some Things Never Change

Some things (in Perth or otherwise, never change.

Like rubber necking. Gawking at an accident. Slowing down, making a nuisance of yourself and then once the desire of inquisition is satisfied, one speeds up to the required road speed and life goes on.

This afternoon on the way home from work I drove up Tonkin Highway and headed North. Whilst at the lights at the Leach Highway intersection, I could see cars slowing down already. I knew there must have been an incident further up the road. The stretch between Leach Highway and Great Eastern Highway is 100 km/hr. About 300m past the intersection I slowed down to second gear and to 30 km/hr. For the next few kilometres, that is how it went.

Now, for those that don't know, Tonkin Highway is a dual carriageway and not often does the speed of surrounding vehicles drop below 80 km/hr. It was refreshing to actually putt along and see how boggy the median is, to read the advertising on the side of the road, to see how huge the green road signs actually are and how bumpy the joins in the road are. I got to take it all in. For the first time in a long time, I wasn't angered about going slowly. It was slow, but it was consistent for almost the whole time.

So on I go, at this lowered speed. I see blue and red lights, a fire truck, two massive tow trucks and a completely anhialated four-wheel-drive. You know, the old white Toyota 75 series utes. However, it was on the OTHER SIDE of Tonkin Highway, heading South. As usual, Perth drivers at their best, just rubber necking, and slowing down progress.