Engineer Stephen Traynor had written off an £18,000 Lexus and hit two other vehicles after overtaking against double white lines in Whalley Road, last November. The defendant, whose actions were described by witnesses as "senseless, irresponsible and the worst driving they had seen", was later found to be almost twice the limit, Burnley Crown Court heard.

Traynor, whose victims escaped with minor injuries, had been committed for sentence by Pennine magistrates who said their powers of punishment were not sufficient - but a judge let him walk free after telling him he had no previous convictions and if he was sent to custody it would be a drain on the taxpayer and he would lose his job.

Recorder Anthony Cross warned Traynor if he flouted the community sentence he was imposing he would go to prison for seven days. The defendant, of Lower Laithe Cottages, Barrowford, admitted dangerous driving and drink driving. He was given 40 hours unpaid work, banned from driving for 12 months and must take a mandatory retest. He was ordered to pay £175 costs.

Mr David Macro (prosecuting) said the defendant was travelling from Whalley to Read and at least four or five cars were in front of him.

He had just passed Devil's Elbow and was going uphill towards a left hand bend when he pulled out, overtook and hit a Peugeot on the other side of the road. The defendant hit it and then a Lexus, writing it off.

Mr Macro said the front offside wheel and suspension arm of Traynor's MGZR came off and he then collided with another car which had managed to stop before the impact.

The defendant gave a test showing 61 micrograms of alcohol in 100ml of breath. The legal limit is 35.

Miss Judith McCullough (defending) said Traynor intended never to drive again. The incident had had a salutary effect upon him and he had been devastated by the proceedings.