TY - JOUR
T1 - Lights and siren
T2 - A review of emergency vehicle warning systems
AU - De Lorenzo, Robert A.
AU - Eilers, Mark A.
PY - 1991/12
Y1 - 1991/12
N2 - Emergency medical services providers routinely respond to emergencies using lights and siren. This practice is not without risk of collision. Audible and visual warning devices and vehicle markings are integral to efficient negotiation of traffic and reduction of collision risk. An understanding of warning system characteristics is necessary to implement appropriate guidelines for prehospital transportation systems. The pertinent literature on emergency vehicle warning systems is reviewed, with emphasis on potential health hazards associated with these techniques. Important findings inferred from the literature are 1) red flashing lights alone may not be as effective as other color combinations, 2) there are no data to support a seizure risk with strobe lights, 3) lime-yellow is probably superior to traditional emergency vehicle colors, 4) the siren is an extremely limited warning device, and 5) exposure to siren noise can cause hearing loss. Emergency physicians must ensure that emergency medical services transportation systems consider the pertinent literature on emergency vehicle warning systems.
AB - Emergency medical services providers routinely respond to emergencies using lights and siren. This practice is not without risk of collision. Audible and visual warning devices and vehicle markings are integral to efficient negotiation of traffic and reduction of collision risk. An understanding of warning system characteristics is necessary to implement appropriate guidelines for prehospital transportation systems. The pertinent literature on emergency vehicle warning systems is reviewed, with emphasis on potential health hazards associated with these techniques. Important findings inferred from the literature are 1) red flashing lights alone may not be as effective as other color combinations, 2) there are no data to support a seizure risk with strobe lights, 3) lime-yellow is probably superior to traditional emergency vehicle colors, 4) the siren is an extremely limited warning device, and 5) exposure to siren noise can cause hearing loss. Emergency physicians must ensure that emergency medical services transportation systems consider the pertinent literature on emergency vehicle warning systems.
KW - ambulance
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=0026265646&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=0026265646&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/S0196-0644(05)81076-5
DO - 10.1016/S0196-0644(05)81076-5
M3 - Article
C2 - 1746737
AN - SCOPUS:0026265646
SN - 0196-0644
VL - 20
SP - 1331
EP - 1335
JO - Annals of emergency medicine
JF - Annals of emergency medicine
IS - 12
ER -