South-west police will continue to target community events after catching six drug-drivers, two drink-drivers and a speeder doing 143km/h at the weekend.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Warrnambool police Highway patrol unit Acting Sergeant Jo Wastell said at the weekend members targeted the Kennedys Creek Music Festival and the Mortlake Quick Shear competition.
Two women roustabouts in their 20s were caught drink driving in Mortlake on Friday night.
One recorded an evidentiary reading of .150 and the other an exceptionally high .227 - more than four times the legal limit.
"One of the women was from Willatook and the other from Ararat," Acting Sergeant Wastell said.
"A NSW p-plater in his early 20s was also caught speeding at 143km/h along the Ararat-Mortlake Road at Mortlake about 7.30pm Friday.
"He said he was running late for the event at Mac's Hotel."
The Acting Sergeant said the woman caught drink driving at .15 was only travelling a couple of blocks to stay at a friend's house.
"I saw her get in the car and thought she was a prime candidate. She should have walked," she said.
"And then about 11.45pm Mortlake police member Justin Rasmussen caught the other drink driver at more than four times the limit.
"It's just unacceptable behaviour."
Read more:
The unit spokeswoman said police were targeting community events, exactly like the Quick Shear competition.
"It's no secret," she said.
"We're working flexible shifts. We're out and about at all hours of the day and night to take impaired drivers off the road.
"People need to be far better organised. If you are going to these events make sure you are not under the influence of alcohol or drugs and driving because the chances are high you will be intercepted and tested."
Police also tested 13 people leaving the Kennedys Creek Music Festival on Sunday between 11am and 2pm.
Six tested positive to methamphetamine at the police site along the Lavers Hill-Cobden Road at Simpson.
"They pretty much all admitted to using ecstasy, mostly on Saturday night. The youngest of those drivers was 22 and the oldest about 30," Acting Sergeant Wastell said.
"Of the three I dealt with there was one from Geelong and two from Warrnambool."
The drug test results will be sent to a lab for a second test before prosecutions can proceed.
If a driver is detected driving with drugs in their system the penalties include a six-month licence suspension and a $496 fine.
The three-day music festival kicked off on Friday, with people generally leaving on Sunday.
Have you signed up to The Standard's daily newsletter and breaking news emails? You can register below and make sure you are up to date with everything that's happening in the south-west.
