Sirens May Do 'More Harm Than Good,' Research Shows

The ear-piercing sirens used by emergency vehicles are shown to have little impact on patient outcomes while contributing to more dangerous road conditions, experts say.

1 minute read

October 21, 2021, 9:00 AM PDT

By Diana Ionescu @aworkoffiction


Emergency Response

mikeledray / Shutterstock

Some experts are questioning the effectiveness of sirens and lights for emergency vehicles, noting that "[s]tudies have found that the time saved responding to medical calls by relying on lights, sirens and speed is not meaningful in most cases." As Christopher Mele reports, the overuse of sirens "can be a force multiplier for more harm than good."

Research has found that "[e]mergency drivers are more likely to engage in risky behavior when they use lights and sirens," while "other drivers sometimes respond in unpredictable ways," creating dangerous conditions that can lead to crashes. In fact, "an average of 4,500 such accidents occurred annually from 1992 to 2011, resulting in an average of 33 deaths and injuries to 2,600 people each year." 

As far as their effectiveness at reaching patients, "the use of lights and sirens has been shown to have little bearing on patient outcomes," saving "an average of 42 seconds to three minutes off a trip to the scene of a call. According to Dr. Douglas F. Kupas, E.M.S. medical director for Geisinger E.M.S. in central Pennsylvania, "[m]ost of the things that are time-dependent are a very tiny minority of the E.M.S. calls." With consistent exposure to sirens, EMS workers "can suffer premature hearing loss," while patients "can be stressed by the noise."

Tuesday, October 19, 2021 in The New York Times

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Use Code 25for25 at checkout for 25% off an annual plan!

Redlining map of Oakland and Berkeley.

Rethinking Redlining

For decades we have blamed 100-year-old maps for the patterns of spatial racial inequity that persist in American cities today. An esteemed researcher says: we’ve got it all wrong.

4 hours ago - Alan Mallach

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

May 14, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Front of Walmart store with sign.

Walmart Announces Nationwide EV Charging Network

The company plans to install electric car chargers at most of its stores by 2030.

May 7, 2025 - Inc.

Public Market sign over Pike Place Market in Seattle, Washington with pop-up booths on street.

Seattle’s Pike Place Market Leans Into Pedestrian Infrastructure

After decades of debate, the market is testing a car ban in one of its busiest areas and adding walking links to the surrounding neighborhood.

3 hours ago - Cascade PBS

Yellow and silver light rain train in downtown Long Beach, California.

The World’s Longest Light Rail Line is in… Los Angeles?

In a city not known for its public transit, the 48.5-mile A Line is the longest of its kind on the planet.

5 hours ago - Secret Los Angeles

Man reaching for young girl sliding down playground slide.

Quantifying Social Infrastructure

New developments have clear rules for ensuring surrounding roads, water, and sewers can handle new users. Why not do the same for community amenities?

6 hours ago - Happy Cities