This is the dramatic moment a frozen highway scare caused drivers to swerve into the snow to avoid a head-on collision.

Dashcam footage shows a black Mitsubishi overtaking a lorry on a snow-covered motorway before skidding uncontrollably in front of a Volvo in Karelia, Russia.

The quick-thinking Volvo driver managed to avoid crashing into both the sedan and the heavy goods vehicle on January 19.

The Volvo swerved off the road and plunged into a snow-filled ditch.

Local media reported that a Hyundai Palisade travelling behind the car also ended up in a snowdrift.

The Mitsubishi reportedly continued driving without stopping, while the two other cars remained stuck in the snow at the roadside.

The Volvo driver later said he was travelling with his mother, while a woman was driving the Hyundai Palisade.

No one was reportedly injured in the incident.