People are buying petrol in a panic when there is no need - they are just being selfish and stupid.

The fuel crisis in September would not have been nearly so bad, and there might have been enough petrol to go round, had not some people started the panic.

There is even less reason to queue for petrol this time. The deadline set by fuel protesters for their demands on duty does not expire for almost two weeks.

The Government and oil companies are far better prepared this time and have made it clear the law will be upheld.

In any case, the protest leaders have indicated that instead of blocking fuel depots, they intend to block motorways with a rolling convoy from Jarrow in the North East to London.

The Government might also take action next week in the Budget statement to help people, particularly in country areas, who are genuine victims of high fuel prices and who have no alternative forms of transport.

But the storms of the last month, which could have been caused in part by global warming due to overuse of fossil fuels, may reinforce the case for not making the huge cuts in duty protesters would like.

The protesters will make their point and there are bound to be demonstrations of some kind. But panic buying of petrol serves only to make matters worse.