Petition · Home Office
Require emergency service vehicles to use two-tone “nee nah” sirens.
Closed
45 signatures
What the petition asks
We feel there has been an increased use of American style “wailing” sirens on our emergency service vehicles. We think this is a mistake, and that these are less safe. We believe they also represent a loss of a small but important bit of cultural capital.
A wailing siren's constantly changing pitch can disguise Doppler effects and interaural timing cues, which can make it difficult to discern the direction and distance.
We think a two-tone siren provides more predictable and consistent auditory cues that the brain can use for localisation.
Also, we want our emergency personnel to behave - and be treated like - British bobbies, not American cops. We view the siren an important subconscious nudge as to who we are and how we should behave.
We think a two-tone siren provides more predictable and consistent auditory cues that the brain can use for localisation.
Also, we want our emergency personnel to behave - and be treated like - British bobbies, not American cops. We view the siren an important subconscious nudge as to who we are and how we should behave.
Timeline
| 23 Apr 2025 | Petition opened for signatures |
| 23 Oct 2025 | Closed to new signatures |
Key facts
Signatures
45
Status
Closed
Department
Home Office
Opened
23 Apr 2025
Closed
23 Oct 2025
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Source: the official petition page. Last checked 20 Aug 2026.