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Emergency Services: Sirens

Volume 696: debated on Monday 26 November 2007

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to the Written Answer by Lord West of Spithead on 19 November (Official Report, WA 79), to whom members of the public may complain if they are disturbed in the early hours of the morning by emergency service sirens when no other traffic is present; and what penalties apply to drivers who so use them. [HL370]

The use of sirens is governed by Regulation 99 of the Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986. If members of the public believe that a police officer has been using a siren in contravention of Regulation 99 they can make a formal written complaint to the chief officer of the police force concerned.

The maximum penalty for breaching Regulation 99 is a fine of £1,000 in England and Wales. Breach of Regulation 99 is also an offence for which a £30 fixed penalty can be issued.