On April 25, an Illinois State Trooper noticed a grain hauler’s safe and professional driving and wrote about the encounter in a lengthy Facebook post.

She wrote:

“Dear Grain Hauler,

I saw you on Route 47 headed south. You were taking your time, obeying the speed limit. I kept my distance behind you. I followed you for probably 20 miles or more, watching your driving behavior.

I wondered if you were loaded or empty. If you were headed to the elevator or back to the farm. I didn’t run your plate. I didn’t want to pass you as there were so many no passing zones and intersections. We drove through several small towns. I couldn’t even see what trucking company you were.

All I knew is that you were driving a grain hauler. My Dad drives grain too. He loves running back and forth to the elevator. He even takes my kids with him in the semi for trips to the elevator. I smiled as I wondered about your trip today, where you were hauling to and how many trips you’d made.

I hope I didn’t scare you when I followed you to the elevator. I saw you turn your turn signal on as we pulled into Gibson City. The elevator was just around the corner and I hoped that’s where you were headed. I didn’t want to pull you over. I didn’t want to startle you. What I wanted to do was say ‘thank you.’ I saw you look at me in the mirror when I parked behind you at the elevator entrance. You were waiting for the semi in front of you.

I hopped out and approached your truck to shake your hand and tell to that I had been watching. You look concerned to hear what I was about to tell you. The relief was instant when I said it was good. The delight in your smile showed you weren’t expecting a ‘thank you.’ You clearly were doing what you must do all of the time. Your driving behaviors in that fully loaded semi show a lot about how you must drive all of the time. Cautious. Dedicated. Focused.

I’m so glad you realized we notice when drivers do the right thing. We aren’t out there to make your day to day commute a problem. We aren’t there to issue tickets all day long. We encourage voluntary compliance with traffic laws and hope drivers do the right thing when they don’t think anyone is watching.

By the look on your face, you didn’t know anyone was watching… for the 20 miles. I was watching. I called your company and told them of the encounter.

Shout out to Trainor Trucking LLC in Forest, IL.

Stay safe out there Grain Hauler, have a great day. Thanks for being awesome.

Sincerely,

Mama Bear”