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First published June 13, 2008

As I write this I've no idea whether the Shell tanker drivers' strike will go ahead and, if it does, what effect it will have on drivers.

But talk of panic buying and pumps "running dry" takes me back a few years to the refinery blockades of 2000.

I remember well queuing to fill my car so I'd be able to get to work and - as a reporter - drive to whatever exciting incidentsI needed to cover (including, of course, the fuel crisis).

There was a genuine shortage of petrol because the truckers and farmers had effectively taken it hostage at refineries around the country.

This time, it's apparently not so serious: Shell tanker drivers won't be delivering fuel but all the other companies will be operating as normal.

So we SHOULD be able to hold out for the four days of the planned strike/blackmail (delete as appropriate to your sympathies).

It almost goes without saying that for people (me included) who get through a tank of petrol or so a week to get to work, this is a slightly worrying development.

Who, after all, wants to be calling their boss to say they can't turn up today because they can't get their hands on any unleaded.

But inconvenience aside, it's also an interesting study in human psychology.

Often when I go to fill up my car there's a queue of other people waiting to do the same.

I don't usually see it as something to panic about - just a sign that a fair few people happen to need petrol.

Now, though, I guarantee that anyone driving past a petrol station with a half-full tank (or half-empty, depending on how optimistic you're feeling) will think: "Aaaaah! Fuel crisis in full flow - better fill up while I can."

They join the queue - and it grows, and grows... and grows.

Then the petrol runs out, or doesn't run out, depending on how accurate the fuel companies' platitudes are.

Which is why I'm going to have to stop writing now: I'm off to try to fill up with petrol...

10:12am Friday 13th June 2008

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