Police lights and sirens are both components of emergency vehicle warning systems. They may not always need to be used simultaneously. In undercover operations, or in the vehicles of volunteer firefighters, sirens may not be used at all.
However, in situations where both need to be used, they work together perfectly, in tandem with each other. In relation to the result that needs to be produced, police lights and sirens are things that supplement each other without a glitch.
Police lights and sirens together make up the warning system that emergency vehicles use to get across on the road, ahead of others, at breakneck speed. Though lights and sirens can exist and function independently of each other, emergency vehicles are able to function best by the synchronized action of both. In the same way that we understand an object better by seeing and hearing about it, the message is conveyed better to the other vehicles on the road, when police lights and sirens work together.
When an emergency vehicle is approaching from a distance, drivers hear only the sirens. Lights will not be visible at that distance on a crowded road, more so because the emergency vehicles will be approaching from behind. So, to alert the drivers on the road, the sirens that announce themselves in advance is absolutely necessary. Then, when the emergency vehicle reaches closer, lights are more necessary. If there is only the sound, the drivers may not be able to make out which exactly is the vehicle that needs to go ahead. So, police lights and sirens need each other to produce the necessary effect.
In the earlier models of lights bars, police lights and sirens remained in close proximity within the light bar. The recent practice leans more towards placing the sirens on the front bumper, away from the light bar. Different state governments have different rules regarding the mounting of sirens. Some states insist on the use of specific models of sirens on highways. Failure to comply with the rule may create difficulties, especially if an accident occurs.
When an emergency vehicle reaches its destination, or if it is informed en route that it is no longer required at the site of emergency, its police lights and sirens have to be stopped instantly. In some police vehicles, the switch that controls both may be interconnected so that the pressing of one button will stop both the flashing lights and screeching sirens. However, all vehicles will have separate controls also, so that when the police lights and sirens have to be activated independently, there will not be any problem. The separation is more important in undercover operations.
One difference between police lights and sirens is that it is easier to direct the light outwards, or in the desired direction, by rotating it or changing its angle. The volume of the siren can also be raised or lowered to suit various requirements, but sometimes vehicles that need to use sirens in a concealed manner might have uncomfortable levels of noise inside. Bad installation can also cause this problem. One way to avoid this is to fix the siren speakers to the front, away from the passenger cabin of the vehicle.
With police lights and sirens, sound comes first and light comes later. It is the reverse of thunder and lightning. Though the process is not challenging any physical law, it is interesting to observe something that goes against a natural law.
However, in situations where both need to be used, they work together perfectly, in tandem with each other. In relation to the result that needs to be produced, police lights and sirens are things that supplement each other without a glitch.
Police lights and sirens together make up the warning system that emergency vehicles use to get across on the road, ahead of others, at breakneck speed. Though lights and sirens can exist and function independently of each other, emergency vehicles are able to function best by the synchronized action of both. In the same way that we understand an object better by seeing and hearing about it, the message is conveyed better to the other vehicles on the road, when police lights and sirens work together.
When an emergency vehicle is approaching from a distance, drivers hear only the sirens. Lights will not be visible at that distance on a crowded road, more so because the emergency vehicles will be approaching from behind. So, to alert the drivers on the road, the sirens that announce themselves in advance is absolutely necessary. Then, when the emergency vehicle reaches closer, lights are more necessary. If there is only the sound, the drivers may not be able to make out which exactly is the vehicle that needs to go ahead. So, police lights and sirens need each other to produce the necessary effect.
In the earlier models of lights bars, police lights and sirens remained in close proximity within the light bar. The recent practice leans more towards placing the sirens on the front bumper, away from the light bar. Different state governments have different rules regarding the mounting of sirens. Some states insist on the use of specific models of sirens on highways. Failure to comply with the rule may create difficulties, especially if an accident occurs.
When an emergency vehicle reaches its destination, or if it is informed en route that it is no longer required at the site of emergency, its police lights and sirens have to be stopped instantly. In some police vehicles, the switch that controls both may be interconnected so that the pressing of one button will stop both the flashing lights and screeching sirens. However, all vehicles will have separate controls also, so that when the police lights and sirens have to be activated independently, there will not be any problem. The separation is more important in undercover operations.
One difference between police lights and sirens is that it is easier to direct the light outwards, or in the desired direction, by rotating it or changing its angle. The volume of the siren can also be raised or lowered to suit various requirements, but sometimes vehicles that need to use sirens in a concealed manner might have uncomfortable levels of noise inside. Bad installation can also cause this problem. One way to avoid this is to fix the siren speakers to the front, away from the passenger cabin of the vehicle.
With police lights and sirens, sound comes first and light comes later. It is the reverse of thunder and lightning. Though the process is not challenging any physical law, it is interesting to observe something that goes against a natural law.
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