Police are set to place a major crackdown on impaired driving during a festival blitz across Victoria this summer, including Eldorado's Folk, Rhythm and Life festival.

State Highway Patrol and the Road Policing Drug and Alcohol Section will deploy to music festivals across the state in the coming weeks, working alongside local police on roads around events.

It comes as drink and drug driving detections peak at this time of year.

Between 2022 and 2024, police data recorded 4456 drug drivers and 4235 drink drivers detected in November and December, with one in three caught in regional Victoria.

Other events including Strawberry Fields in Tocumwal, Spilt Milk in Ballarat, and Beyond the Valley at Barunah Plains in Hesse will also have a significant road policing presence.

Last year 11 impaired drivers were caught out by police following the Eldorado festival out of 466 motorists tested for drugs and alcohol.

Police also issued three infringement notices for unregistered motor vehicles, one infringement notice for unlicensed driving, one vehicle impoundment and three defect notices for vehicle safety issues.

This year’s Folk, Rhythm and Life festival is set for 5-7 December.

Police are urging festival patrons to plan ahead to avoid risking driving while impaired, including arranging a designated driver or using alternative transport options, rather than opting to drive at the conclusion of the event.

Assistant Commissioner Glenn Weir said far too often police hear from motorists about miscalculation's of alcohol and drug intake before going behind the wheel.

“We need everyone to completely separate these behaviours – alcohol, drugs and driving don’t mix,” he said.

“If you’re attending music festivals, please plan ahead and don’t risk driving while impaired – arrange a designated driver or utilise alternative transport.”

The penalties for drug driving are significant, with a first-time offender facing a $611 penalty, six-month licence suspension and requirement to complete a drug driver program within three-months or face licence cancellation.

First time offenders who are fully licenced and over 26 years of age caught with a blood alcohol limit between 0.05 and 0.07 receiving a $611 fine and immediate three-month licence suspension.

The penalties increase substantially for those under 26 years of age, those required to have a zero blood or breath alcohol level, those caught for second or subsequent drink or drug driving offences and those caught over 0.07 or above.

Police are also urging festival goers to manage fatigue, with many of the festivals taking place in regional Victoria and requiring long distance travel.