Siren call rejected

Press, 13 August 1988, Page 2

Siren call rejected

Compulsory use of sirens by all emergency vehicles travelling at speed is not supported by the Minister of Transport, Mr Jeffries.

He asked his Ministry for a report after a call by the Christchurch Coroner, Mr Neil MacLean, to have sirens used in all emergencies.

The call was made after an accident in central Christchurch in which a police car and station waggon collided.

A woman was thrown from the waggon and died.

“It is clear from the report that there is a general belief that sirens are effective and can be readily heard by other drivers, but this is not necessarily so,” said Mr Jeffries. “Trials in New Zealand have shown that people in a closed car may not hear a siren from a distance of four to five car lengths.”

Mr Jeffries said the Ministry warned its officers against relying on a siren.

“While the Ministry accepts the value of sirens in some situations, it warns there is a risk in believing right-of-way is

assured.” The policies used by the police, ambulances, Fire Service and Ministry of Transport were considered in the report. “I believe these policies provide adequate protection to the public, given the varied nature of the situations faced by the drivers of these vehicles,” said Mr Jeffries.

“Compulsory use of sirens every time emergency services respond to calls would create a situation experienced in some overseas cities where the wail of sirens is common throughout the night,” he said.