When choosing a car, safety is a top priority. While factors like driving habits and vehicle maintenance are crucial, the colour of your car can also influence its visibility on the road, potentially affecting your risk of being involved in an accident. Here's what research says about the safest car colours.

Top Safest Car Colours

Studies consistently highlight that certain colours are more visible to other drivers, reducing the likelihood of accidents:

• White – Often cited as the safest colour, white cars are highly visible in various lighting conditions, making them easier for other drivers to spot.
• Yellow – Bright and attention-grabbing, yellow cars stand out, especially in low-light conditions, enhancing visibility.
• Orange – Like yellow, orange vehicles are highly visible and less common, which can make them more noticeable to other drivers.
• Gold – Gold cars offer good visibility and are less common, which can help them stand out on the road.

Colours with Higher Crash Risks

On the other hand, some car colours are associated with higher crash risks due to reduced visibility:

• Black – Black cars blend into the road, especially at night or in low-light conditions, increasing the risk of accidents. Studies have shown that black vehicles have a 12% higher crash risk than white cars.
• Grey – Grey cars can be hard to distinguish from the road or surrounding environment, particularly in overcast weather, leading to an 11% higher crash risk compared to white cars.
• Silver – While silver cars are often considered stylish, they can be less visible in certain lighting conditions, resulting in a 10% higher crash risk than white vehicles.
• Blue – Blue cars are moderately visible but can blend with the sky or water, increasing crash risk by 7% compared to white cars.
• Red – Despite being bright, red cars can blend with brake lights and road signs, leading to a 7% higher crash risk than white cars.
• Green – Green cars, especially in rural areas with lots of vegetation, can be hard to spot, though the risk is less pronounced than with black or grey cars.

Additional Considerations

It's important to note that while car colour can influence visibility, it's just one factor in road safety. Driver behaviour, vehicle maintenance, and adherence to traffic laws play significant roles in accident prevention. Furthermore, the popularity of certain car colours can vary by region and over time, influencing their relative safety.

Conclusion

Choosing a car colour with high visibility, such as white, yellow, or orange, can enhance safety by making your vehicle more noticeable to other drivers. However, it's essential to remember that safe driving practices and vehicle maintenance are equally important in preventing accidents.

For more information on vehicle safety and accident prevention, consider consulting resources from traffic safety organizations or local authorities.