On Monday, June 4, I had gone out to my mom’s house to take her to a short medical appointment. I was on County Road 46, heading back into Albert Lea. When I was in the area of County Road 71, I watched a garbage truck make a U-turn in the middle of the road. In other words, I was following this truck, and it’s a good thing I was. When we got to the big curve, that whole garbage truck was in the oncoming lane of traffic.

That’s why they tell you not to tailgate. God forbid, if there would have been an oncoming vehicle, I would have been witnessing a possible major accident. I didn’t dare get close enough to get the ID number of the truck. That has to be the worst case of distracted driving I’ve ever seen. That was very unnecessary. I can tell all of you folks, I don’t drive like that.

I have another comment to make, and it’s about I-35.

To start with, most of the drivers on there tailgate. I don’t even like to drive on that road anymore. When I go to Owatonna, I use the back roads. There is too much road construction around Owatonna anyway. I don’t put up with MnDOT detours. I make my own.

Just keep an eye on the A.L. Tribune — all the people getting caught for speeding. Not to mention, the two high-speed chases in the area. I’m not leadfoot, and I abide by the law. I don’t drive distracted, either. I don’t have a cellphone. I have and use common sense.

That’s enough on distracted driving.

Gilbert Gilbertson

Albert Lea