A DANGEROUS driver has been caught on camera smashing into another motorist as he overtakes - by squeezing between the other car and the central reservation.

Mark Hall, 38, has this week been convicted of dangerous driving and failing to stop after recklessly overtaking cars that were already driving in the outer lane on a busy duel carriageway, before smashing into one driver and then fleeing the scene.

The incident happened on December 7 last year and dashcam footage from the collision shows Hall driving at speed on the A189 Spine Road, near Ashington.

Hall initially passes a motorist by squeezing passed on the driver’s side of the car and the central barrier, before doing the same to another car which he then collided with – causing significant damage to the vehicle.

Hall then failed to stop at the scene of the collision, but officers soon tracked him down following an investigation into the collision.

On June 30, following a guilty plea, Hall was convicted of dangerous driving and failing to stop after an accident and sentenced at Bedlington Magistrates’.

Neighbourhood Inspector Phil Patterson has condemned the reckless driving and urges other motorists to respect the roads.

Insp Patterson said: “This type of driving is incredibly dangerous and not something we tolerate on our roads.

“Thankfully, no one was injured during this incident but it could have easily had a very different and fatal outcome.

“Driving is something to be respected and done responsibly, and anyone found to be driving dangerously on the roads will see themselves brought before the courts.

“Drive responsibly or you won’t be driving at all – we’ll see to that!”

Hall, from Dene View, Ashington, was handed an 18 month Community Order, with 250 hours of unpaid work, and has been banned from the roads for 20 months.