Illegal use of sirens

Gus Philpott
Woodstock Advocate
November 5, 2010

Several readers have been sitting on the edges of their chairs and demanding that I back up my previous statement that it is illegal for fire trucks to use their sirens when escorting a parade or, for example, a private procession to the home of a soldier celebrating his return on leave.

I know there is another section in the Illinois Vehicle Code that allows fire equipment to use sirens while proceeding to a fire or emergency, but not while returning, but I haven't found that section yet.

But here is the section that prohibits use of sirens on fire equipment providing an escort:

Illinois Vehicle Code. 625 ILCS 5/12-601
Sec. 12-601. Horns and warning devices.
(b) No vehicle shall be equipped with nor shall any person use upon a vehicle any siren, whistle, or bell, except as otherwise permitted in this section. Any authorized emergency vehicle or organ transport vehicle as defined in Chapter 1 of this Act may be equipped with a siren, whistle, or bell, capable of emitting sound audible under normal conditions from a distance of not less than 500 feet, but such siren, whistle or bell, shall not be used except when such vehicle is operated in response to an emergency call or in the immediate pursuit of an actual or suspected violator of the law in either of which events the driver of such vehicle shall sound such siren, whistle or bell, when necessary to warn pedestrians and other drivers of the approach thereof. (emphasis added)