Just a quick thought,what do you notice first when  the Police,Ambulance or Fire Truck approches you the lights (high vis) or the Sirens (loud sound).

I don't know about anybody else but nine times out of ten I hear the "SIRENS" first.Think about that LAW makers when you pass laws to fine riders with loud exaust and want to bring in LAWS for ridres to be more VISABLE.

 

cheers Rick

Hearin` ya man , pity the powers that be arn`t hey !

So true...The coppers should have to put on hi vis vests when they give chase !

Most of the time if the sirens and lights are both operating at the same time the noise is the first to to atract or distract your attention and then the high visibilty lights show where they are -which direction -and what speed they are travelling in.Most people are not bothered by a deep rumbling exhaust whether it be a car or bike but when its deafining-the building shakes and the t.v.is drowned out nobody likes it.I run a 103 stage 1v kit with vh big radius -live around the corner from a cop shop and dont seem to bother anyone.An emergency vehicle needs the siren (noise) and lights because its travelling on the wrong side of the road,running red lights,speeding and trying to get people to move over,( which they dont because the noise makes them panic and confused) I think my pipes are far to loud but they look good!

Yup, only ever see the lights first under one condition really, straight road and I'm in a elevated position.

Good point, but unfortunately logic doesn't seem to apply here.

Good point. I ALWAYS hear the siren looong before the vehicle comes into sight.

 

There are 2 types of sirens fitted to emergency vehicles.....
the 'Whale' is the long drawn out siren is designed to be audible from a greater distance than the other, called the 'Yelp', which is the short, errr? 'yelping' sound.
These are controlled from inside the cab. The operator, usual the person in the front passenger seat, chooses one or the other depending on the traffic/situation.
But most leave it on 'Mix'.