When Adam Golder was breathalyzed after careering his Renault Clio into the crash barrier on the A1058 Coast Road he gave a reading of 39 micrograms in 100 millilitres of breath. The legal limit is just 35mg.

But Golder, aged 26, was not charged with drink driving as Northumbria Police have a policy of not charging unless the reading is over 40mg, Newcastle Crown Court was told.

Instead Golder, of Beech Grove, Whitley Bay, pleaded guilty to dangerous driving when he appeared in court.

Disqualifying him for 18 months, Mr Recorder Jeremy Freedman said: "I do not know what possessed you to drive in this manner.

"It is only due to good fortune that other vehicles were not struck by your car.

"You cut up on the inside lane, swerved across the path of other vehicles and drove at great speeds."

The court was told Golder had been out drinking on the previous night and was dropping a friend off when he crashed into the barrier just after 8.30am on November 3 last year.

Mr Roger Liddle, prosecuting, told Newcastle Crown Court debris from Golder's car was thrown into the other lane and smashed into an oncoming BMW, causing £1,000 worth of damage.

"The defendant was arrested and accepted that he had been very stupid," said Mr Liddle.

"A breath test was carried out and he gave a reading of 39mg in 100ml of breath.

"But Northumbria Police do not pursue a charge if it is under 40mg."

Mr Shaun Routledge, defending, said Golder's driving was "a moment of madness".

Golder was also ordered to carry out 150 hours of unpaid work, must take an extended driving test before getting back behind the wheel and must pay £863 in court costs.

"Had there been any injuries resulting from your driving then a custodial sentence would have been imposed," said Mr Recorder Freedman.