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Written question asked by Lord Pearson of Rannoch (Non-affiliated) on Thursday, 8 July 2021, in the House of Lords. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 22 July 2021. It was answered by Baroness Vere of Norbiton (Conservative) on Friday, 16 July 2021 on behalf of the Department for Transport.

Emergency Services: Sirens

Question

To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to ensure the emergency services comply with the provisions of the Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986 which require them to use vehicle sirens only when it is necessary and desirable to do so, and that they should therefore refrain from sounding sirens late at night when streets are empty of traffic.

Answer

The conditions under which sirens may be used are governed by Regulation 99 of the Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986 (C & U). Emergency service vehicles are permitted to use a siren to indicate to other road users the urgency of the purposes for which the vehicle is being used, or to warn other road users of the presence of the vehicle on the road.

Subject to the regulations and any form of guidance, drivers are expected to use their professional judgement to decide when and where the use of sirens is appropriate.

The use of sirens and other attributes fitted to road vehicles used by the emergency services is a matter for the chief officers of those services in conjunction with the chief officer of police for that area. There are no current plans to intervene.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
HL1868
Session
2021-22
Subjects
Emergency services Road traffic Sirens
Legislation
Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk