Police sirens after midnight
Discussion
Good evening all (or morning or afternoon depending on when you read this)
Before I make a fool of myself by complaining at my local police station I thought it would be best if I asked on here what the rules are regarding the use of police sirens at night.
I have the pleasure/displeasure of living right next to a main road (Garratt Lane, SW18) which is very close to the local police station.
I have for many many months been kept awake by police vehicles with sirens on that drive past my flat at midnight or later and I just wanted to ask if there were specific rules regarding the use of sirens after 11:30pm just as there are for us normal motorists.
At this late time of night I cannot see any need for full sirens when flashing lights and good observation would be perfectly sufficient for any competent driver.
Do I have grounds to make a polite and informal complaint to my local police station or am I being stupid?
I dont post often on PH due to how I see others jump down peoples' throats. I feel for this reason that I should point out that I fully support the police and do not wish to make a nuisance of myself but at the same time would rather get to sleep quicker!
Thank you for you (hopefully) informed answers.
Peter
Before I make a fool of myself by complaining at my local police station I thought it would be best if I asked on here what the rules are regarding the use of police sirens at night.
I have the pleasure/displeasure of living right next to a main road (Garratt Lane, SW18) which is very close to the local police station.
I have for many many months been kept awake by police vehicles with sirens on that drive past my flat at midnight or later and I just wanted to ask if there were specific rules regarding the use of sirens after 11:30pm just as there are for us normal motorists.
At this late time of night I cannot see any need for full sirens when flashing lights and good observation would be perfectly sufficient for any competent driver.
Do I have grounds to make a polite and informal complaint to my local police station or am I being stupid?
I dont post often on PH due to how I see others jump down peoples' throats. I feel for this reason that I should point out that I fully support the police and do not wish to make a nuisance of myself but at the same time would rather get to sleep quicker!
Thank you for you (hopefully) informed answers.
Peter
Daz,
I couldn't agree more hence I thought I would ask on here and only ever intend to make a polite and informal complaint at best.
If there aren't any rules against it I wont even bother as once i'm asleep I am gone to the world but it can irritate when you are trying to get there!
But the station must be busy sadly as the sirens are most nights.
If they replaced the cars with V8 monsters i'd ask them to turn off the sirens and just give it more beans! Funny what noises you'll happily be kept awake with compared to those that annoy.
I couldn't agree more hence I thought I would ask on here and only ever intend to make a polite and informal complaint at best.
If there aren't any rules against it I wont even bother as once i'm asleep I am gone to the world but it can irritate when you are trying to get there!
But the station must be busy sadly as the sirens are most nights.
If they replaced the cars with V8 monsters i'd ask them to turn off the sirens and just give it more beans! Funny what noises you'll happily be kept awake with compared to those that annoy.
As a rule with us, Ambos, when on a blue light run siren and lights are to be used when claiming an exemption to regulations of the road. In practice I don't use sirens at night after 23:00 but if I'm in an accident then it's my bad if audible warning is not used, so caution is used.
On busy streets at night in town I use them, last thing I need is a pished member of public under my wheels.
Short answer is they can use them at any hour.
On busy streets at night in town I use them, last thing I need is a pished member of public under my wheels.
Short answer is they can use them at any hour.
BadRotorFinger said:
As a rule with us, Ambos, when on a blue light run siren and lights are to be used when claiming an exemption to regulations of the road. In practice I don't use sirens at night after 23:00 but if I'm in an accident then it's my bad if audible warning is not used, so caution is used.
On busy streets at night in town I use them, last thing I need is a pished member of public under my wheels.
Short answer is they can use them at any hour.
Pretty much sums it up for all the services. The last thing we want is to be in an accident and have to explain why we didn't deem it necessary to be using a siren but discretion is also used.On busy streets at night in town I use them, last thing I need is a pished member of public under my wheels.
Short answer is they can use them at any hour.
I'd see a bigger problem that should an emergency vehicle crash in to a person/car and they didn't have their sirens on it would be the first thing that would be raised and someone would be after compo.
I understand the annoyance of it though having lived for a few years on a main route that ambulances used from the hospital near me.
I understand the annoyance of it though having lived for a few years on a main route that ambulances used from the hospital near me.
And this is exactly why I posted here before doing anything, and now wont.
I actually live by an S bend and even I cross the road there, although paying close attention when I do. I had never thought of it from that point of view (i.e. police not wanting to hit a drunkard).
Thank you for all your amazingly prompt replies.
Peter
I actually live by an S bend and even I cross the road there, although paying close attention when I do. I had never thought of it from that point of view (i.e. police not wanting to hit a drunkard).
Thank you for all your amazingly prompt replies.
Peter
I'm in a similar situation OP, sometimes it's a pain. Not so much that I think I should move though.
What I have noticed is that the later it is, the faster they travel. Less traffic would make you think there would be less need for sirens but at the speeds they manage here, as much warning as possible is needed!
What I have noticed is that the later it is, the faster they travel. Less traffic would make you think there would be less need for sirens but at the speeds they manage here, as much warning as possible is needed!
They ate qute good where I live. Our development is close to a cross roads. Within a mile we have a police ambulance and fire station. It is also the main route to A and E from one part of the town.
As a rule late at night they ony give a quick burst of siren ehen approaching the junction. Fire engines make more noise.
It wakes me, but I am lucky in not often having bother going back to sleep.
A necessary evil. I would rather a quick siren blast than a pedestrian or car being hit.
By the way, why do fire engines have so many sirens? The ones near me have the american style ones like police and amb. They can cycle between whaling and yelping. They also have the 1970s stule "nee naw" air sirens, and a great big deep truck horn. Now you can hear them leaving the station at night and it is a mile away
As a rule late at night they ony give a quick burst of siren ehen approaching the junction. Fire engines make more noise.
It wakes me, but I am lucky in not often having bother going back to sleep.
A necessary evil. I would rather a quick siren blast than a pedestrian or car being hit.
By the way, why do fire engines have so many sirens? The ones near me have the american style ones like police and amb. They can cycle between whaling and yelping. They also have the 1970s stule "nee naw" air sirens, and a great big deep truck horn. Now you can hear them leaving the station at night and it is a mile away
wildcat45 said:
By the way, why do fire engines have so many sirens? The ones near me have the american style ones like police and amb. They can cycle between whaling and yelping. They also have the 1970s stule "nee naw" air sirens, and a great big deep truck horn. Now you can hear them leaving the station at night and it is a mile away
Fire engines don't stop very well 
14-7 said:
I'd see a bigger problem that should an emergency vehicle crash in to a person/car and they didn't have their sirens on it would be the first thing that would be raised and someone would be after compo.
I understand the annoyance of it though having lived for a few years on a main route that ambulances used from the hospital near me.
South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service adopted quiet policy a few years ago, and a woman was killed in a collision with a pump shortly afterwards, as it was passing through a red light without a siren.I understand the annoyance of it though having lived for a few years on a main route that ambulances used from the hospital near me.
Frix said:
Trouble is that at the time when it is supposed to be quiet (2300) is when pissed people stagger out of pubs and around the streets til the early hours. It makes it difficult when on response for the reasons mentioned above. A necessary annoyance I am afraid
Slow down?I drive ambulances and I just about have never used sirens overnight. Slowdown and don't let the red mist decend. You don't HAVE to exceed the speed limit. If you hit a pedrestain, sirens or not, you are still at fault.
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