A Hamilton man caught driving under the influence of drugs twice in 90 minutes on Sunday will face an additional charge of failing to obey a police officer.
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Hamilton police highway patrol members first detected the 38-year-old driver in Maroona, about 20 kilometres south of Ararat.
After failing a roadside drug test, highway patrol members directed the man to not drive.
About 90 minutes later the same highway patrol unit pulled the same driver over again near Glenthompson, about 45 kilometres south-west of the initial incident.
Hamilton sergeant Paul Stanhope said the driver was a repeat offender.
"He will now face an extra charge of failing to abide by a lawful direction from police," he said.
"The driver will be charged on summons to appear in court regardless of the outcome from the lab of his drug test."
South-west police road safety adviser Acting Senior Sergeant Dean Greenwood said that during the past 30 years there had been a steady reduction in the number of lives lost and serious injuries suffered on Victorian roads.
"In 2018 there were 213 lives lost on Victoria Roads, which was a record low," he said.
"But, in 2019, 266 lives were lost on our roads.
"Those who died were fathers, mothers, sons, daughters, neighbours, they will all be missed by someone."
Acting Senior Sergeant Dean Greenwood said that on far too many occasions, police and other first-responders had the task of attending horrific accident scenes.
"Most of these fatal collisions and serious injuries incidents are avoidable," he said. "We implore drivers to slow down, don't drink and/or drug drive, turn your phone off or even better, put it in the boot, out of arm's length.
"Wear your seat belt and ensure your passengers are also wearing theirs. Doing these little things will give you the best possible chance of arriving safely at your destination."
