Castlemaine Police Sergeant Steve Bax said a witness reported that a car was driving erratically on the Calder Highway near Malmsbury at 8.40pm.

"Police intercepted the driver and the man was found to be three times over the legal limit," he said. 

"He was charged with drink driving and five other traffic offences.

"He has been released on bail and will appear in Castlemaine court at a later date."

Meanwhile, country road deaths decreased by 6.6 per cent to 142 and metropolitan road deaths decreased by 23.1 per cent to 100, according to the preliminary road toll. 

Acting Inspector Paul Gardiner said the fall in country deaths was small compared with the 23.1 per cent drop in metropolitan deaths. 

He said the popular myth that it was mainly city drivers who died on country roads was incorrect.

"The sad thing is it is country people who are dying on country roads by a large majority," he said.