Where can you get petrol near you and how to use Google to check for queues

You could save yourself a lot of time using this technique

You can check how busy petrol stations are using Google Maps if you're on the search for some precious fuel. As many petrol stations continue to be low on fuel - and with the army on stand-by to help deliver fuel to forecourts - the government is urging people to stop panic-buying petrol. But if you are in genuine need of fuel, then you're going to want to know where queues are smallest. This is where Google can be your friend. Using Google Maps, or websites like Fuel Genie, you can locate your nearest petrol stations. Then, on Google Maps use the terrain tab on the right-hand side of the screen and select 'traffic view'. Red lines on the map will show where heavy traffic is being reported, with green lines indicating that the roads are clear. So any stations with a green line outside them on the map are the ones that you're going to want to aim for. The app will also show you what time the station is open and sometimes display the cost of fuel there as well. It is hoped though that over the coming days you won't need to be doing this, with many expecting the fuel shortage to come to an end in the near future. There isn't actually a shortage of petrol at refineries, with the issues having arisen from a shortage in HGV drivers and difficulties getting the fuel to forecourts. This was then exacerbated by the rush of panic-buying. But there's only so much petrol you can fit in your car's tank, so after the initial rush while people filled up, it's hoped that the panic-buying will soon ease. Related links:

• The petrol station saving its remaining fuel for emergency services and keyworkers
• Police mock motorists who spent three hours queuing for petrol station that was closed
• How Britain learned absolutely nothing from panic-buying bog roll and pasta