No matter how long you’ve been driving, you’ve probably heard the urban legend that drivers in red vehicles are
more likely to get tickets than any other. While multiple studies have shown that, statistically, this might be the case, there’s another downside to driving these flashy vehicles.
You may also be at a higher risk of
car accidents.
The Psychology Behind Driving Red Cars
The Association for Psychological Science has been analyzing studies regarding the connections between car color and driver behavior for years. A
2013 report even suggested that men with a greater affinity for red vehicles had higher testosterone levels and higher levels of characteristics like aggression than those who preferred other colors. While this doesn’t definitively say that red car drivers are more accident-prone, it suggests that these drivers may tend towards aggressive driving.
However, despite this behavioral trend, research has shown that red cars barely make the top three in terms of most likely to crash.
Which Car Color is the Most Accident-Prone?
In Australia, a team at
Monash University tested the relationship between car color and accidents during a study that spanned almost 20 years. While their results were conclusive in determining which cars are more likely to be in accidents, much of the evidence relied heavily on time of day and road visibility. Here’s what they found:
- Black cars are 12% more likely to get into accidents during the day than other colored vehicles and 47% more likely at night.
- Red cars are at the same risk as blue, which are 7% more likely to get in daytime accidents.
- Despite being the most popular, white cars are the least likely to be involved in crashes, regardless of the time of day or circumstances.
They also found that regardless of vehicle color, cars with a lower contrast to their surroundings are at higher risk for accidents. So, you don’t have to avoid getting the red sports car of your dreams, just make sure you’re driving safely and are cautious of the road conditions.
Injured in a Car Accident? Contact Our San Rafael Attorneys
The team at
Delfino Green & Green has been protecting the rights of those injured in car accidents for decades. If you or a loved one has been injured because of a negligent driver, contact our firm today! Call
415-442-4646 to
schedule your free consultation.
