The 39-year-old tested positive to methamphetamine early Friday morning when his vehicle was issued with a defect notice.

Sergeant Geoff Annand from the Bendigo highway patrol said police intercepted the same man, driving a different vehicle, on Sunday morning.

“He tested positive to methamphetamine again and was told not to drive for 12 hours,” Sergeant Annand said.

“Then, later that day, he was found driving the original vehicle from Friday with two children, aged seven and six years old, in the car.

“The seven-year-old was seated in the rear of the vehicle without a seat belt.”

Sergeant Annand said the man was smoking in the car while the children were in the vehicle.

Police allege the man tested positive for methamphetamine a third time but are waiting for conclusive test results.

Sergeant Annand said “disbelief” was the word that sprang to mind when reflecting on the weekend’s events.

“It’s very concerning that he thinks it’s OK to have illicit substances and then drive and put at risk his own child and a friend’s child,” he said.

“To have his own child in the car without a seat belt, when there was one available elsewhere in the car, is just astounding.”

The man could be summonsed to face court depending on the drug test results.

He was fined almost $600 for other driving offences and lost three demerit points.

Sergeant Annand said at least three other drivers in Bendigo tested positive to methamphetamine at the weekend.

He said the drug testing was not part of any specific operation.

“It’s becoming more prevalent because we have the tools to test for drugs now.”