Some observations about the behaviour of South African motorists in view of the fuel crisis.

The change in the behaviour of motorists immediately after the promulgation of the fuel crisis is discussed. The Point is made that the behavioural changes observed were not unexpected in view of the potentially serious magnitude of the fuel crisis and the relatively good communications between the authorities and the public. A psychological model of behaviour under conditions of impending disaster is derived and it is concluded that the observed behaviour was largely predictable from previous research findings.