Whether you’re looking to buy a new car or just curious, you may have heard that the color of your car can influence how often you get pulled over. Specifically, there’s a common belief that red cars tend to get singled out by police. But is this really true? Let’s take a closer look at the evidence.
The Origins of the Red Car Theory
Where did this idea come from that red cars attract more police attention? While it’s hard to pinpoint exactly when or how it started, there are some potential explanations.
One is that red is seen as a bold, aggressive color. So people associate red cars with fast driving or street racing. Even if it’s subconscious, police officers may be more likely to notice speeding red cars.
There’s also an association between the color red and dangers or warnings. Red lights, stop signs, and fire trucks are all red for a reason. So a bright red car may trigger an instinctive reaction in cops.
Pop culture also likely plays a role. Movies, TV shows, and books frequently portray red cars as belonging to reckless rule-breakers. So the idea that red cars get targeted can take hold in the public consciousness.
Studies on Red Cars and Police Stops
While the origins make some intuitive sense, what do actual studies and statistics say? Do red cars really get pulled over at higher rates?
There have been a few attempts by researchers and analysts to gather data on this question. Here are some notable findings:
- A study in the 1990s analyzed over 130,000 car stops across several states. It found no significant difference in stop rates based on car color.
- In 2007, an analysis of over 900,000 car stops in Ontario, Canada found a slightly higher stop rate for red cars. Just over 28% of red cars were pulled over, compared to 27.5% of cars overall.
- A newspaper in Phoenix, Arizona looked at over 8,000 stops across their city in 2012. They found red cars were stopped slightly more, at a rate of 33% compared to 32% for other colors.
Based on these studies, red does seem to draw extra attention from police. However, the difference is fairly small in percentage terms.
Explanations for the Red Car Effect
Assuming red cars do in fact get pulled over more often, why might that be? Researchers have proposed a few potential explanations.
Visibility: The bright color red is highly visible, especially at night. So red cars are easier for police to spot and focus on.
Targeting: Some officers may subconsciously profile red cars as being more likely to speed or break traffic laws.
Driver behavior: People who drive red cars may tend to drive more aggressively, whether due to personality or feeling empowered by the car color.
It’s likely a combination of these factors that leads to slightly higher stop rates. Some researchers argue it’s less about the car color itself and more about who tends to buy and drive red cars.
What Colors Get Pulled Over the Least?
If red cars get pulled over the most, what colors seem to attract the least police attention?
There’s no definitive answer, but some research points to more neutral vehicle colors as being less likely to get stopped:
| Color | Stop Rate % |
|---|---|
| White | 27.0% |
| Gray | 26.5% |
| Blue | 26.8% |
Based on limited data, white, gray, and blue cars seem to attract slightly less police attention. However, the differences are quite small compared to average stop rates.
Other Factors Beyond Color
While car color can influence police stops, it’s far from the only or most important factor. Research shows other characteristics play a bigger role:
- Driver age, gender and race
- Type of vehicle (sports cars more likely to be pulled over)
- Driving behavior and traffic violations
- Time of day or night when driving
- High-crime neighborhoods or areas
In addition, police often deny targeting specific car colors. They say other variables like speeding or erratic driving are much more important when deciding which cars to pull over.
Does Color Affect Insurance Rates?
Are red cars also more expensive to insure? Insurance companies don’t explicitly use color in their risk calculations. Rates are based more on factors like:
- Driver age and record
- Type of car
- Safety features
- Garaging location
However, some insurers may associate certain colors like red with higher-risk vehicle types or drivers. So in that sense, color can indirectly impact insurance costs. But it’s not typically a direct factor in rate determinations.
Why Do Colors Like Red Dominate the Road?
Despite small risks like slightly higher police attention, red remains an incredibly popular car color. In fact, colorful cars overall dominate the road compared to neutrals:
| Color | Percentage |
|---|---|
| Gray | 15% |
| White | 14% |
| Black | 12% |
| Red | 11% |
| Blue | 10% |
The top 5 colors make up about 60% of cars on the road. And red holds strong as the most popular specific color.
So despite a bit of a stigma around attention from police, drivers still flock to bold shades like red. The color is associated with power and energy, which car buyers find appealing.
Should You Avoid Red Cars?
Based on the minor statistical differences, avoiding red cars solely to reduce police attention probably isn’t necessary. The color itself likely plays a very small role versus other factors.
However, if you’re concerned and want to play it safe, neutral shades like white, gray or blue may be smart alternatives. Just know that the car color itself is far from a guarantee of avoiding police stops.
Other Tips to Reduce Police Attention
No matter what color your car is, here are some other tips to help avoid catching police attention:
- Obey all traffic laws and speed limits
- Avoid aggressive driving like speeding, tailgating, erratic lane changes
- Make sure all lights, signals and tags are working properly
- Don’t drive late at night when police are more active and alert
- Blend in with traffic and avoid standing out
While factors like car color play a small role, driving carefully and not giving police a reason to notice you is the best way to reduce your chances of getting pulled over.
Conclusion
In summary, red cars do seem to attract slightly more police attention and stops compared to other colors. However, the differences in data are fairly small. Much bigger factors like driver behavior and traffic violations play a far larger role.
So the next time you’re car shopping, don’t let small worries about police attention outweigh choosing a color you love. Just be sure to drive safely and obey traffic laws to minimize police interactions, regardless of your car color.
