Sirens were designed for one purpose: urgency. They were meant to signal danger, create immediate space, and ultimately save lives.

Ambulances rely on them.

Fire services depend on them.

Police use them when every second matters.

But today, across many African cities, something deeply troubling has happened. Sirens no longer consistently signal an emergency.

They often signal impatience.

They often signal status.

They often signal entitlement.