The "messed up" aspect often refers to instances where these safety tools inadvertently cause harm. Photosensitive epilepsy and online content

: Sirens use varying tones like the "wail," "yelp," or "phaser" to clear intersections and alert inattentive drivers.

: Police lights use high-contrast red and blue strobes often set to frequencies intended to command attention without triggering most seizures (typically below 240 flashes per minute).

: For the roughly 3% of people with photosensitive epilepsy, these rapidly moving images and high-pitched noises can synchronize neurons in the brain, potentially triggering a seizure. Real-World Impacts and Risks