Great drive. Interesting up here in scotland when in built up areas we now have to keep the sirens on. Rural roads only when you think it will advantageous. Hated doing the commentary but made me a better driver.

This is actually different depending on the brigade. In Kent we've removed the OIC's siren switch completely so it's just driver-operated.

@@nathansvlog - to me that would appear to be a backwards step - do you know what the reasoning behind it was ?

@@pedantik I would disagree that it's backwards. The driver is the one best placed to decide which tone is appropriate for the immediate situation. Many officers in London were operating the sirens without ever having had any driver training. In this clip the driver could definitely have used the siren more or at least have left it on for longer. If you are wrong the side of the road you absolutely need to be making an audible warning. At 2:20 he sees 2 cyclists and says he's using the siren "just to let them know and then I'll turn them off". Only 1 of the cyclists actually acknowledges/recognises what is going on however this driver continues to progress without audible warning. That's a mistake in my opinion.

when in doubt leave it on

I was told to keep it on in urban areas except when stationary not to force traffic through. Each brigade will be different. Up here in scotland all fire emergency response drivers follow the same Book as the police use the constant commentary Inn training was horrible at times 😂

Do you drive emergency vehicles? Sirens are used to worn people,. There is no point driving with sirens on when you have no hazards, or no one to worn. I hear too many emergency vehicles using sirens for no reason, its as if they've got them on because they enjoy the sound.

In response to the above yes I do and the issue with turning it on and off is drivers can often believe its on when in fact it's not so the current theory being taught is to leave it going in built up/urban areas as if you need to switch it on when travelling at speed you may not have the time from spotting the hazard to reacting thus being too late in warning people. Please do contradict me if you wish but also do tell me the justification you would use in court if you flatten some poor sod and have to admit the siren wasn't activated.

Agree Steve about the use of sirens. There was an approach to a Pedestrian Crossing after a bus stop. Sirens were turned off prior to 3rd bus and before crossing. frequently before they passed traffic and resulted in confusion. Use sirens until risk passed, ie shopping parade etc.

Dodgey884 Agree.

@urbex2007 Have you reported your findings to the government department that deals with the emergency services? I think it's incredibly important that you do if you have proof of this.

East Preston