If you’re in the market for a new car, there are various factors to consider. The type of vehicle, price, and reliability are important aspects you may research. However, safety ratings and features should also be a key consideration. You want to ensure that you lease or purchase a car that keeps you and your family safe in the unfortunate event of a crash and sustaining car accident injuries. Most vehicles on the road today have various safety features, such as airbags, anti-lock brakes, and monitoring systems. But what about car color? Can it affect the risk of getting into an accident? Read on to find out.
Do Certain Car Colors Increase Your Chances of Getting Into an Accident?
Research conducted on this topic is varied and sparse. Studies have reached different conclusions, especially regarding which color cars are the safest.
For example, in the often-cited Monash University study, researchers concluded that white vehicles have the lowest crash risk. By contrast, earlier Auckland research determined that silver cars were 50% less likely than white cars to be involved in an accident causing serious injuries.
Other studies, like the one conducted by Monash University, cite silver vehicles as more dangerous due to their low visibility. In fact, MU noted several weaknesses in the Auckland study. For one, it failed to account for vehicle type. For example, large commercial vehicles are typically white and are expected to have a relatively high collision risk due to more time on the road.
Ranking Car Colors From the Most Dangerous To the Safest
It’s difficult to provide definitive crash risks based on car color. Multiple factors can change the answer, such as the time of day (day or night) and where you drive (urban or rural areas).
However, looking at the totality of resources discussing the topic, we’ve listed car colors from riskiest to safest.
Black Cars
One thing seems consistent across the board: black vehicles are among the most dangerous and increase your risk of car accident injuries. They’re difficult to see, especially at night. Even during the day, they may blend in with dark roads and landscapes.
The MU study found that black vehicles are up to 47% more likely to be involved in a car accident.
Grey Cars
Grey vehicles can also blend in with asphalt and urban surroundings. Additionally, during a cloudy, foggy, or rainy day, the weather can make a grey car essentially disappear – especially if its headlights are off. MU found that these vehicles increase your chances of crashing by at least 11%.
Silver Cars
This is a controversial one due to contradicting studies. However, silver is similar to grey. Also, cars come in varying shades of silver, with some being shinier than others. The duller the car’s color, the more likely it is to be at risk of a collision.
Green and Blue Cars
Both vehicle colors can blend into the surroundings depending on the area and time of day. For example, green cars may blend into foliage and trees along a rural highway or wooded area. A blue vehicle may be difficult to see against a clear blue sky.
Again, these car colors come in varying shades that can change the level of risk involved depending on where you’re driving.
Red Cars
Many people associate red cars with higher collision risks, but most studies don’t support that assumption. Someone who drives recklessly in a red sports car might be more likely to crash. However, that doesn’t mean the color red itself is responsible for a higher collision rate.
Surprisingly, red vehicles share a similar crash risk as blue cars. They might stand out in some areas. But many traffic signals, signs, and brake lights are also red, causing red cars to blend in at times.
Gold Cars
Gold vehicles are shiny and bright, making them stand out at certain times of day. The color reflects light and contrasts nicely with black asphalt and dark surroundings.
Orange and Yellow Cars
Some sources cite yellow cars as the safest. The Monash study also listed it among the lowest-risk car colors. This makes sense. Yellow is a bright, vibrant color that stands out, which is why school buses and taxis are painted yellow.
Orange cars are similar to yellow ones – they stand out. However, note that this can change based on the time of day. For instance, if you’re driving at dusk or dawn, these colors may become more difficult to see against the backdrop.
White Cars
While not all studies consider white the absolute safest color, they generally place it high on the list. It’s a bright hue that is much more visible than its dark counterparts. That means white vehicles are easier to see, making crashes more avoidable regardless of the time of day.
However, one exception is snowy conditions. If you live in a region that sees a lot of snow, a white vehicle may not be the best option for you.
Vehicle Color Isn’t the Most Significant Factor When Assessing Crash Risk
While your car’s color may create a heightened risk of an accident or injury, it’s not a determinant factor. At the end of the day, driver behavior is the most common cause of crashes, including distracted driving, failing to follow traffic regulations, and drunk driving.
You should consider the pros and cons of color when selecting a vehicle, but it won’t guarantee safety. It’s just one consideration among many other safety features to contemplate.
