Why are emergency sirens so head-achingly loud?

Question

Yes and when I drove I always moved out of the way, it seems to me they are getting louder - or does my hearing improve with age?

So why don't they always use them at night where I live? What a judgemental lot we have here this evening.

I believe the state is stamping her control on us.

Answer 1

Was something On UK TV, a good few years ago, about effects different pitches have.
High Pitched Noises DEMAND attention (good for telling people There is an emergency vehicle), but difficult to locate where they are (bad, as you don't know if it's behind, in front, left, or right. Their DEMANDING Attentions makes them feel louder.


Lower Pitches are opposite.
Alternating between high and low pitch, like those in UK now, grabs attention, then allows drivers to figure out where the Emergency Vehicle is.

Better designs, more electric available, are things which might enable Sirens to be louder.
Louder sirens can heard further, so drivers have more time to react, and move out of the way, so less risk of accident.

Answer 2

In busy built up areas or on the motorway they are not loud enough. A number of times I've only known they were coming up behind as I use my mirrors frequently and saw the lights before hearing the siren. In today's litigant culture it is no suprise they make them as loud as possible to ensure no-one can say they didn't hear them. Some years ago a directional siren was being tested which was more targetted ahead of the emergency vehicle. These were very effective though I don't know if they were ever introduced widely. If you live near an ambulance, fire and police station, there should be special traffic lights that allow them to leave their station with priority and without the need for sirens blaring. Some consideration should be given to local residents though and I have noticed that in my area, the services are pro-active and only use their sirens when they need to i.e. approaching busy junctions or traffic rather than having them blaring unecessarily.

Answer 3

So they can be heard and from further away. You move out of the way but it is surprising how many do not,With the increased amount of traffic on the roads it is getting more difficult for emergency vehicles to get to their incident as swiftly as they would like.You take it in a saloon car with the windows closed,the heater fan on full, the radio or CD blaring away you would not hear the sirens if they were not loud.

Answer 4

I am an ex emergency vehicle driver. Believe when I saw you could have the whole of Blackpool illuminations flashing on your roof and the London Philharmonic Orchestra blaring and Joe public still wouldn't hear you or get out of your way.

Answer 5

The loud sirens are so the fuzz and other emergency services can have run racing through a town near you. The fuzz are fond of doing this when it's their lunch break.

Answer 6

You have to be able to hear them a few blocks away. The ample warning allows you to move out of the way safely.

Answer 7

They have to be loud so you can hear them above the noise of the traffic,also to warn vehicles that cannot see the emergency vehicle, that one is approaching! A warning for motorists to beware and be prepared to clear the way if necessary, providing it is safe to do so!!

Answer 8

So the driver of the emergency vehicle can hear it over the hip-hop music of the car in front of them.

Answer 9

cause they r tell in u to move out the damn way there is a emergency

Answer 10

Its so you notice. They'll also be louder if they're behind you because they're directed forwards, so drivers ahead hear them.