All posts in the topic Noise polution (Short link)
Summary
- There are 9 posts — by 6 authors — in this topic.
- Latest post made by Debra Drewett at May 18 13:12 UTC
We all know that Headington isn't some sleepy Oxfordshire village but do we
have to accept the noise pollution from ambulances which hits us in the face so
often when we venture out on to Headington’s streets? Nobody would want to see
harm come to somebody because an ambulance is delayed. However, I would feel
more sympathetic towards them if I believed that all that noise was necessary
or even helpful to them to get to a call out. In my opinion the noise is often
excessive, aggressive and serves little purpose. Have we no recourse to the
cacophony of sirens, day and night? I am interested to know if the police or
Ambulance Trust ever meets with the area committee to address local concerns of
people being driven from the streets by this tirade of noise.
I'm surprised by what you say - in my own experience I've often observed that
drivers only seem to notice(and suddenly move out of the way of) this large
vehicle with blue flashing lights all over it when either the siren is turned
on or the tone of it suddenly changes!
Saturday I pulled over to the side of the road because I'd seen an ambulance
coming only to be overtaken by an idiot nearly straight into the path of the
emergency vehicle.
I apreciate you say you don't want harm to result but even small amounts of
time can make a difference
to quote a couple of bits from the british heart foundation website
"
The most important factor determining survival after a cardiac arrest is the
time from collapse of the casualty to defibrillation –
Why is a heart attack an emergency?
....
1. It increases the risk of having a life threatening irregular heart beat.
Sadly, three out of every ten people who have a heart attack will die before
they reach hospital because of an irregular heart beat. It causes their heart
to stop and without emergency resuscitation they will die. That's why it's
important to call 999 immediately and why the British Heart Foundation has
trained people in the community how to respond appropriately to emergencies."
R
I think you have hit the nail on the head. This is an emotive issue because
we all respect the work of the emergency services and I agree that a quick
response is very important. However, do we have to accept the intrusion that
these vehicles make without any discussion ?
The illustration you give where a driver overtakes you is my point exactly;
the noise which deafens pedestrians is often ignored by car drivers! So, how
effective are these sirens, and are there more effective ways to speed
ambulances through Headington without making our streets so unbearable at
times?
One of the problems with drivers ignoring emergency vehicle is that they never
hear the ausible warnings from the emergency vehicle because drivers have
either their radio up loud or wear earpieces for mobile phone making it almost
impossible to hear the warning siren. If drivers used their mirrors more they
would see the approach of emergency vehicles.
Unfortunately there is also an element of drivers who try to race emergency
vehicles.
I have often observed ambulances racing along an empty Windmill road using loud
sirens betwen 2300 and 0000 - not a car in sight. This is not a proper use of
an emergency vehicle attending an accident or medical emergency. It only serves
to disturb the local population.
Headington is busy area. Windmill road at this time has pedestrians along it
coming home from nights out/work etc. The sirens are used for a reason. I guess
next you'll be asking for them to turn their lights off as well so they don't
shine through your windows !!!!! If you don't like the noise on a busy central
road in the middle of Headington I would suggest you move house. I would guess
the Hospital has been in Headington for longer than most of the residents
complainging about the noise. Why buy a house on a route that supplies a busy
Hospital and then complain about the noise? I'm sure its nice to have it on
your door step when you need it though, and I'm also sure you wouldn't moan
about the sirens if it was 'you' in the back of the ambulance !!!!
Matthew, I agree that Headington is a busy junction and living here means
accepting traffic. However, think back to some of the tragic accidents on the
Cowley road some years ago that involved pedestrians or cyclists and police
cars. Not only has the road been now been made safer, but it is also less
intimidating for pedestrians. If it can be achieved there, then surely we
should be exploring if it is possible here.
Steve, your topic was to discuss 'Noise Polution' !! You are now comparing the
roads of Headington with the Cowley Road. Have you even been to the Cowley Road
in the evening ? Apart from George Street in Oxford the Cowley Road must be one
of the busiest, noisiest road's in Oxford. It is packed with bars and
reasturants that go on until the early hours of the morning, great for a night
out but I certainly wouldn't want to live there.
As for the noise from the emergency services, I can assure you that when they
go along the cowley road the have their sirens on, as they do in any other
built up area.
I am all for improving our environment where practical. What I don't like is
when people move to an area and then try changing it to suit their needs. If
you buy a house on a busy road you must expect to have noise. Why should the
Emergency Service's have to comprimise themselves, and the population of Oxford
they provide a service for, just becasue it is inconvinient to a few ?
As for June's comment about them 'racing' down the road with 'loud sirens', you
make it sound like they are joy riding...... these people are working, saving
lives. The sirens have to be loud, that's the point June !
Well said Matthew! I couldn't agree with you more! I hear sirens day and night
and it's one of those noises that you just get used to. Come on Steve let the
emergency services do their job, the sirens are there for a reason!