This article aims to bust any myths regarding a vehicle’s color and the risk for collision by taking a look at some of the results from research in this area. Afterall, when you’re looking into a vehicle purchase, there are certain criteria to consider for safety reasons and research into collisions does have some information regarding the color of vehicles to add into the mix.
Here’s what the research shows:
Black cars are 47% more likely to be involved in a collision and are therefore considered the most dangerous color to drive while other studies have revealed a more conservative 10-20% increase in black vehicles being involved in an accident.
These study results are predominately due to the lesser visibility of a darker vehicle while they tend to blend into their surroundings and the chances then increase in the evening when lighting would play a huge part as well.
Grey and silver cars follow closely behind black cars due to the visibility factor.
And blue cars, being a popular color, have their own visibility difficulties while the darker shades are often involved in accidents much like black vehicles and they also blend into our surroundings that tend to be blue, including our beautiful California skies.
Ironically, bright and bold red vehicles can be easily missed against the backdrop of stop signs, streetlights, sirens, and brake lights found amidst the hustle of Los Angeles roadways. Red cars tend to be at a higher risk for accidents than most other colors and that has been correlated with a 7% increase over the safest vehicle color.
Green is certainly a predominate color in most outdoor environments, so the visibility of a green vehicle would likely be a factor in accidents but less so when compared with the darker shades mentioned. Covered bus stops, grass, hill sides, fences, and even buildings tend to be green.
Less likely to be involved in accidents are the lighter colored vehicles with white cars considered the safest. At any time of day, white cars are 12% less likely to be involved in a collision than black cars. The major reason this is true is because of the contrast provided for white cars on our roadway environments and this increases their visibility. Some studies would say yellow cars have greater visibility over white and would therefore be considered the safest colored vehicles. Taxi’s are yellow because of this high visibility factor even on the busiest city roadways. Orange is another highly visible color but again we have some interference with road signs and cones creating a backdrop that lends to both yellow and orange vehicles blending, whereas white continues to stand out.
While these studies seem to point to a direct correlation between the susceptibility of color playing a significant role in accident probability, the ways in which the driver operates their vehicle is most obviously the greatest predictor. Road and weather conditions are changeable so caution is warranted in these circumstances but road rage or offensive driving, distracted driving, and driving under the influence are top concerns when it cones to operating your vehicle safely and with the least chances of becoming involved in a collision. Remember these studies and keep it safe out there!