[haydnwalker]

I moved into my address about 5 years ago also, and I do hear approx 6-10 sirens per day, though we live near (but not on) a main arterial route which connects to a motorway junction.

The majority of these sirens are Ambulances. Round here the police very rarely use sirens unless the traffic is busy or Traffic Signals are on Red.

I hardly ever see a Fire Engine though... they are usually like buses, you never see one then two come along at once!

I know one of the traffic officer instructors for our local force, and he says they are only required to use "own judgement" as to when to use the emergency warning equipment. So for example, on an empty road while travelling to an emergency, there may be a judgement made to use NO emergency lights/sirens etc.

I guess it makes sense to use lights/sirens on approach to junctions/red lights etc though... common courtesy to other road users?

In fact...there was something on the TV a few years ago, where a Motorway Officer had collided with a HGV while responding to an emergency call. Both drivers were (in my opinion) in the wrong, due to the Truck driver was manouvering into Lane 3 (which is illegal) but also the officer in question was only using his flashing headlights, but not any of his blue lights and no sirens, while travelling at over 100mph (I think it was Police Camera Action or something it was on).