Panic buying of petrol is causing a crisis both in Sussex and other parts of the country for the second time in a week.

Last week, selfish drivers made things much worse than they needed to have been by filling their fuel tanks to the brim and then topping up every spare petrol can.

Had they not done this, it is likely there would have been enough fuel for everyone before the blockades were called off.

Yesterday, as rumours spread of further blockades, they were at it again, forming big queues at filling stations.

Their actions are utterly irresponsible and causing alarm. On a filthy wet evening, they also created totally unnecessary traffic jams and chaos in many places.

Before we know it, these same people will be whipping round the supermarkets again, cleaning them out of bread, milk and vegetables.

Even if another fuel blockade was called, there would be no need for panic. There are other ways of getting around than by car and plenty of food is produced locally. These panic buyers are putting themselves first, with no thought of anything else. They should keep calm so that the rest of us can lead our lives without hyped-up hassle.

Change the law A 19-year-old driver lost control of his car and two young people were killed as a result.

Yet Ryan Hadwick was charged with driving without due care and attention as a result of the accident at Pagham near Bognor.

His sentence was a mere 18 months' probation and this motoring menace will be back on the road again after only two years.

The case of PC Jeff Tooley, killed by a hit-and-run driver, has already highlighted the urgent need for a change in the law. This latest tragedy reinforces that need.

Peering ahead Part-time poet Peter Mitchell has applied to become one of the People's Peers that will be created later this year under moves to freshen up the House of Lords.

Every adult in the country can apply under a Government scheme to get new, and not necessarily blue, blood into the Second Chamber.

Mr Mitchell, who lives in Shoreham, says his achievements include assisting the Conservative Party at elections and being divorced. It's lucky Peter's got other attributes, otherwise those qualifications would make him indistinguishable from scores of Lords already there.

Shoreham's got a harbour. Soon it may have a peer as well.