Panic attacks !

Sensible people understand why fire trucks, ambulances and police cars are fitted with flashing lights and sirens. They are " emergency vehicles " on their way to bring help where it is urgently needed and the law requires other motorists to get out of the way and grant them right of passage.

Unfortunately, we are seeing a growing tendency to ignore this obligation. In some cases, drivers have their sound systems turned up to a volume that drowns out the siren while others choose to deliberately refrain from giving way or interrupting their journey.   This is an offence that carries a $ 405 fine and the loss of three demerit points.

We are about to see emergency vehicles fitted with a new " rumbler " siren.  This is a device that emits a sound wave that causes cars in a sixty metre vicinity to " vibrate " wildly.  This low frequency sound wave is similar to that of a " sub-woofer " and it will penetrate even the best car sound proofing - and over ride the highest music volume.

To be effective, this siren would need to be cranked up to it's maximum volume, and there is a danger that it could cause other drivers to experience a panic attack - and create an added danger by trying to respond in an unpractical manner.

It is frustrating to be caught in bumper to bumper traffic - and hear the shriek of a siren in close proximity.  If traffic is gridlocked - we have no option than to wait and try to get out of the way when movement starts again, but this new siren is going to have the vehicle vibrating, adding to the frustration in a drivers mind and compelling the need for some sort of action.

What we don't need is driver panic causing desperate decisions that actually increase the danger threshold.   If an emergency vehicle is stopped in heavy traffic and that " Rumbler " siren continued to shake nearby cars, some drivers are going to be driven to make unsound decisions by sheer necessity.

Drivers of emergency vehicles need to be taught to use this siren judiciously.   There is no point in sounding it endlessly if stuck in a traffic jam and a quick burst of sound may be more effective in clearing an errant driver ahead than continuous use for the length of the journey.

This new siren may improve response times, but it also has the potential to cause panic attacks.   It's introduction needs a carefully planned use regimen to gain the maximum benefit - without unwanted side effects !