When it comes to the aesthetics of vehicle color, many of us hold certain opinions like; black cars show less dirt, that red cars are faster or a bright orange car is less likely to be stolen. So it would be logical to assume that some consumers would be just as likely to consider safety as a factor when choosing the color of their vehicle. But is there evidence to suggest that certain colors will be more or less safe in different conditions like rain or snow?
The relationship between car color and safety is complex. As only a few studies have been conducted in this area, the results of these studies should be considered more of a suggestion than an exact science. There are many factors that can contribute to an automobile accident, and while the color of the vehicles involved can play a role, it is important to remember that it is not nearly as influential a factor as how safe you are behind the wheel.
The Influence of Car Colors:
The background color of the environment (trees, deserts, fields), weather conditions (rain, fog, snow) and daylight can have a significant effect on a vehicle’s visibility. However, studies tend to lean toward light conditions as one of the more influential factors contributing to a vehicle’s color and its crash risk. A 2002 study observed that that light-colored (like white or yellow) cars were less likely to be “passively involved” in crashes during daylight, on open roads, and during less-than-ideal weather conditions. A 2007 study by the Monash University Accident Research Centre(MUARC) in Australia then compared the crash data of black, blue, brown, cream, fawn, gold, green, gray, maroon, white, mauve, orange, pink, purple, red, silver and yellow vehicles against white vehicles.
Best and Worst Colors for Poor Conditions:
Research revealed colors related to high risk were black, blue, gray, green, red and silver. Compared to white, darker colors such asblack, blue, gray and othersranking lower on the visibility index were associated with higher crash risk in daylight hours. Silver was observed as being quite visible in several weather conditions but was reported as being difficult to see at times of changing light levels like sunrise and sunset.
BEST Car Colors:
White, yellow, orange – In 2013, white was the world's most popular car color. At night, white is the most visible, but the study also noted that a lime-yellow stands out better against cloudy skies and snowy backdrops than white does. Other eye-catching colors like bright orange or lime green are also more visible in rainy conditions and are frequently suggested as the optimal safety-gear colors for making motorcycle riders more visible.
WORST Car Colors:
Red, black, gray – At night, people often perceive the color red as black, and humans tend to have particularly poor peripheral detection of red shades. A study even noted that emergency vehicles such as firetrucks should consider changing vehicle colors to shades of yellow and white. Black cars had the worst record for passive involvement in crashes, and gray vehicles were described as significantly difficult to see in rainy and snowy conditions.
Although the most visible car would seem to be the safest, whichever car you’re driving, YOU are the biggest factor for arriving safely at your destination.It is important that you be proactive by remaining extra alert in poor weather conditions and choosing to never drive distracted. Turn your headlights on at dusk and dawn. When it’s foggy, raining or snowing, turn on your running or fog lights.
Regardless of the color of your car, if you or a loved one has been injured in a car accident, the experienced automobile accident attorneys of Hupy and Abraham are here to help. If you have any questions or would like to start a free consultation, please contact us at 800-800-5678 or start a live chat 24/7.
FAQs
That color is white. White cars are 12 percent less likely to be involved in an accident than black cars at any time of the day under any conditions. This is because there is often a lot of contrast between white cars and its surroundings. As a result, white cars are easy to see.
What color car is best in cold weather? ›
White does have some advantages in snowy climates, especially for lazy people—it hides salt better than darker colors. Motor vehicle fleet managers often choose white over some distinctive color related to their function, Mr.
What is the easiest car color to see at night? ›
A white car could keep you safer on the road.
Studies suggest that white is one of the safest colors for cars because it tends to be the most visible at night and in most weather conditions—except snow.
What color car is hardest to see? ›
Black cars are harder to see on the road, especially at night. Gray and silver cars are monochrome in a way that decreases their contrast with the surrounding environment. Meanwhile, bold colors stand out, making them easier to spot and, therefore, easier to navigate around.
What color car do deer hit most? ›
Deer hit cars of all colours, but studies have shown that deer are more likely to collide with white and silver vehicles than any other colour.
What is the best color car for visibility? ›
That color is white. White cars are 12 percent less likely to be involved in an accident than black cars at any time of the day under any conditions. This is because there is often a lot of contrast between white cars and its surroundings. As a result, white cars are easy to see.
What color makes a car look expensive? ›
White cars have a natural sense of luxury and classiness that can't be denied. So, it's a great choice if you want to keep your car color simple but not dark.
What is the least desired car color? ›
Today, just 3.9% of new cars are red. Maroon, pink and cream remained the least popular colours, comprising just 604 registrations combined. Meanwhile, orange, bronze, turquoise and brown fell in popularity compared with 2023 volumes.
What is the hardest color car to keep clean? ›
Conclusion. The bottom line is, white cars are by far the easiest to keep clean. Black cars are the hardest, as they show grime more easily and don't hide imperfections well at all. Red—or any other bright color that requires frequent cleaning—isn't ideal, but it can still work if you have some time and patience.
What colors to avoid for cars? ›
The Least Safe Colors
While a car's safety rating does not take color into consideration, the vehicle color that tests the lowest on the safety scale is black, which is harder to spot at night; followed by dark blue, also difficult to spot in the evening, along with gray, sliver, and sometimes, red.
White, gray, and silver are the most straightforward colors to keep clean. Lighter hues, in contrast to most dark colors, barely show dirt. Darker colors need more effort to look attractive. The deeper the color, the more scratches you'll notice and the longer you'll have to spend polishing body panels.
Which car color fades the fastest? ›
As a general rule, red paint fades fastest, while white holds for the longest. The reason for this is that red paint reflects red light and absorbs blue light, which is at a shorter wavelength of the light spectrum and has the most energy to do damage.
What color car gets in more accidents? ›
Black Cars
Research suggests that black vehicles are involved in accidents much more frequently than other color cars. During the day, black vehicles are associated with about a 12 percent increase in crash risk. At night, you're about 47 percent more likely to get into an accident when you're driving a black car.
What color do deer avoid? ›
Brightly colored flagging can help deer avoid contact with the fence. Flagging should be in the blue to yellow spectrum and attached at waist height in 3 foot intervals along the fence. These colors are recommended as deer have dichromatic vision and do not process the color red, orange or pink as well.
What month are most deer hit by cars? ›
The greatest risk for deer-vehicle collisions emerges between October and December, mostly occurring in the two hours before sunrise and after sunset each day, according to the New York Department of Transportation.
What color car attracts the least heat? ›
White, silver, and other light colors are coolest, reflecting about 60 percent of sunlight but there are dark "cool" colors that can also stay cooler than traditional dark colors.
What color car attracts less heat? ›
The more energy it absorbs, the more heat it emits. White and silver, however, behave in the opposite manner, reflecting all light thrown their way. The result here is less energy absorption and less heat emission.
What colour car is safest in snow? ›
MUARC's determination is that white is the safest vehicle color. Why? In all types of weather and lighting, the visibility of a white vehicle rates much higher, particularly at night.
What color car is hardest to keep clean? ›
Conclusion. The bottom line is, white cars are by far the easiest to keep clean. Black cars are the hardest, as they show grime more easily and don't hide imperfections well at all. Red—or any other bright color that requires frequent cleaning—isn't ideal, but it can still work if you have some time and patience.
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