An interesting discussion ensued Saturday at the Machacek’s Weekend and Minor Holidays Defensive Driving School six-hour session at the old Western Auto location. Frank Machacek invited Sheriff Welch as a guest speaker. Machacek said, “I figured if we’re going to be held hostage here for six hours, why not have a Q&A with the Sheriff to answer some real world questions about driving, instead of all of this state mandated crap?”


The first question from Chevy Sterling asked “if it is really okay to drive drunk on gravel back roads as long as you don’t hit anybody?” At first, Sheriff Welch attempted to dodge the question, but finally agreed to answer, “off the record.” Please note, at TCR, we have a policy of printing rumors, hearsay, and consider everything “on the record, regardless of what we tell you.”


Sheriff Welch explained that his department evaluates situations on a case by case basis, but in general, they avoid driving their squad cars on gravel roads, if possible. “It’s hell on the suspension, not to mention the paint chips,” he said. “Now, if you’re drunk and drive through a fence, you better be prepared to mend it better than it was to start with. If you hit someone’s livestock, it better not be a show animal or pet, either. We’d haul you in for that. And, please don’t pass out in the middle of the road – no one can get by you in either direction.”