WATCH: Police release dash-cam footage to 'shame' hoon drivers

Police have taken an unusual step in an effort to stop fatalities on Australian roads over the festive season.

They're "shaming" hoon drivers by releasing dashcam pictures showing moments of madness and begging for drivers to show common sense amid a rising road toll.

In one piece of footage, a reckless driver illegally overtakes as two officers on motorbikes approach in the other direction.

The car veers back with just metres to spare.

Police have described the driver's actions as "crazy" and "irresponsible".

The motorist was tracked down by police and his car was impounded for 28 days.

On the same stretch of Cudlee Creek Road in South Australia, another act of stupidity is caught on camera.

Two motorcyclists are overtaking on solid lines when a car pulls the same risky stunt, narrowly missing an oncoming van.

Police say in each of these cases the drivers were just seconds away from crashes that could have killed them and innocent drivers.

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Near Port Augusta, an impatient driver was filmed cheating death on a highway, while hoon drivers were caught doing burnouts at the scene were a motorcyclist was killed at Largs Bay on Friday.

The 17-year-old learner rider died while doing a wheelie stunt - and it appears other drivers have learnt little from his tragic death.