Quote:
Originally Posted by Derek S
I wasn't referring especially to this case (although I don't think hearing is blocked by hills) but in general people think the lights and sirens are enough to make everyone behave in a sensible manner and I can assure you that they don't.
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With all due respect Derek, and without knowing the area myself at all, it's entirely possible that the reflection of sound from the hill and / or surrounding buildings could have led to the impression that the car was a street or more away. The fact that it was night sometimes exacerbates that effect due to reduced traffic, The biggest help at night is the flashing of the beacons on the roof of the police vehicle and the presence of the headlight strobes, since at night the eyes tend to notice perceived movement more readily and a strobe gives the impression of rapid movement. Furthermore, today's modern vehicles have a low audible signature even under aggressive driving conditions. The main VISUAL indicators to pedestrians and other road users present on the police vehicle also were not in operation, and since the battenberg markings are reflective high visibility strips designed to reflect directed light, they would not have helped in the circumstances.
This is not in any way an attack on any posts in this thread, or posters, but an observation.