2019 Babylon Festival drug driver numbers drop by nearly half

Of the 447 drivers tested, 29 returned positive oral fluid tests for drugs, equating to about 1 in every 15 drivers. 

Northern Grampians inspector Paul Bertoncello said while it is disappointing to see those numbers, they are significantly lower than those from 2018.

"Last year's ratio was about one in every eight drivers testing positive, so we we were pretty happy with the improvement," he said.

"We did quite a bit of work with patrons as they arrived letting them know about the presence of booze and drug buses and it seems to have had a positive impact.

"I think it shows that the patrons are actually thinking about the impact of their behaviour once they get out on the roads."

RELATED: Police pleased by Babylon Festival behaviour

Babylon Festival chief executive Richie McNeill said measures were taken to ensure the least amount of drivers taking risks on the road.

"We had drug and alcohol testing stations which a lot of people made the most of," he said.

"Even though gates were meant to close at 4pm on Monday, we had patrons stay as late as 11pm. We didn't care they were there that long, our main focus was making sure they felt they would be safe on the roads.

"The message from us to punters was don't risk it, take your time and make sure you are fine to drive."

Mr McNeill said he was pleased with how the festival ran overall and hoped to see it return in 2020.

"We are on a year by year permit with (Northern Grampians Shire) Council so we will have to reapply and hopefully they will have us back.

"We have a fair bit of support from businesses, police and other emergency services so I think it is a win-win for festival-goers and the local area."

2019 Babylon Festival stats overview

• Attendance: 4938 (238 more than 2018) 
• Medical Assessment Team referrals (drug-induced and serious injury medical cases): 38 (down from 66 in 2018) 
• Overdoses requiring evacuation to hospital: 1 (same as 2018)
• Other medical evacuation: 1 (same as 2018)
• Arrests: 4 (1x Traffick DOD; 1x Possess DOD/Trespass; 2x Trespass) 
• Other Crime: 1 (Theft from vendor) 
• Assaults/Sex Assaults: 0 
• Road Policing: 29 positive Oral Fluid Tests (out of 447 drivers tested) – ratio of 1 positive to every 15 drivers (down from ratio of 1:8 in 2018)

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