"John Rowland" wrote in message
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Incidentally, a police boat went up the river at about 11pm with siren
blaring, despite the fact that there were no other boats moving and no
possible benefit.of using the siren. Idiots.

Sirens on police cars, ambulances, and fire engines can serve two purposes.

Both to clear people out of the way, but also to reassure callers that help is
on the way. When for instance a vehicle may be stuck in traffic some distance
away, but the siren would be clearly audible.

If people are in difficulties in or on the water in the dark, they're likely
to hear a siren well before they'd see an approaching boat.


michael adams

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