A TERRIFYING video shows how easily an overconfident driver in a powerful car can get into potentially deadly trouble.
The speeding motorist suddenly loses control on a slight bend and narrowly misses a head-on before crashing into the verge, disappearing in a cloud of dust.
Despite his dramatic brush with death, the motorist was lucky enough to be able to drive away from the scene a few minutes later.
The clip, which has been viewed more than 420,000 times, involves a sporty Ford Fiesta ST, which has a top speed of almost 130mph and can reach 60mph in just seven seconds.
Road safety experts said the clip, filmed on the A630 near Doncaster, South Yorks, was yet another example of a driver with an inflated sense of their own ability behind the wheel.
Stephen Shephard filmed the incident at the weekend, capturing the moment the Fiesta zooms past his vehicle. The accident was caused by a common mistake made by inexperienced drivers – lift off oversteer.
As the Ford passes, the rear of the car starts to slide and the driver appears to try to stop it from fully spinning around.
Approaching the bend, the Ford appears to stop accelerating, causing the weight to shift onto the front wheels and the rear to become lighter.
The driver then appears to over-correct the mistake and narrowly misses hitting a black taxi in the opposite lane.
The Ford then begines to brake which causes cars weight to shift away from the rear wheels, resulting in the whole vehicle rotating around.
The Ford veers back and forth across the road before spinning 180 degrees and the rear hitting a tree on the other side of the road.
The small blue hatchback eventually comes to a rest just off the road with its hazard lights flashing.
The dashcam car can be seen stopping as dirt and debris is thrown in to the air from where the Ford has stopped.
The incident happened on Saturday at around 4pm between Hooton Roberts and Conisbrough.
Stephen, 34, from Doncaster, said: “My initial thoughts were, ‘Look at that idiot – what’s he trying to prove?’
“This was shortly followed by the missus panicking as he lost control, and after it happened I got out to make sure he was OK.
“I stood and watched him drive off. The missus rang the Police who said that there wasn’t really a lot they could do as he had left the scene.”
Neil Greig, policy & research director for road saftey group IAM Roadsmart said:
“This is UN Global Road Safety Week which this year has the theme of speed, and this is yet another example of poor driving linked to inappropriate speed for the conditions.
“Far too many drivers have an inflated sense of their abilities and as this clip shows once you are in trouble trying to get out of it badly just makes it worse.
“Always drive within the capabilities of yourself and your vehicle and you can avoid this sort of damaging outcome.”
Nearly 2000 viewers have also commented on the dramatic clip.
Benji Gough wrote: “To be honest he’s over reacted to a car on the other side of the road. He’s not sure on his cars ability”
Dave Checkley said: “Thats what happens when you lift off around a corner.”
Tommy Cox commented: “If I was the oncoming car he nearly hit I’d of stopped reversed back and had a little chat with him”
Evander Cross said: “That’s what happens when you lift off on a bend!”
