When it comes to getting pulled over for traffic violations, the color of your car matters. According to research, vehicles painted certain colors are more likely to get cited for infractions than others. Understanding which vehicle colors attract the most attention from law enforcement can help drivers in deciding what color to purchase when shopping for a new car.
Do statistics show vehicle color affects ticketing rates?
Yes, studies have indicated a correlation between a vehicle’s exterior color and its likelihood of being pulled over and ticketed. In an analysis of over 11 million traffic stops across the United States from 2011 to 2019, researchers found significant differences in ticketing rates based on car color.
The analysis examined ticketing data from 35 of the 50 states. According to the results, black cars were pulled over and ticketed 12.5% more often on average when compared to white cars. Meanwhile, gray cars were ticketed 10.8% more often, silver cars 4.3% more, red cars 3.9% more, and blue cars 3.2% more when compared to white vehicles.
So while white cars had the lowest overall ticketing rate, black, gray, silver, red, and blue vehicles were more likely to receive citations. The data indicates color does indeed correlate with increased police attention and ticketing frequency.
Which specific vehicle colors get ticketed the most?
Looking more closely at the ticketing statistics, these are the 10 vehicle colors with the highest citation rates from most to least:
- Black
- Gray
- Silver
- Red
- Blue
- Brown
- Green
- Beige
- Orange
- Yellow
So if you’re looking to avoid attracting attention from traffic police, avoiding darker-colored cars like black, gray, and silver would be advised. Vehicles in brighter shades like yellow, orange, beige, and green tend to get targeted less frequently.
Why do some vehicle colors get ticketed more?
Researchers have proposed several possible explanations for why officers may subconsciously single out cars of certain colors for more traffic stops and citations:
- Visibility: Bright colors like white can be the most visible under various lighting conditions. Darker cars can appear inconspicuous, catching officers’ eyes.
- Assumptions: Drivers of cars in more aggressive or sporty colors may be perceived as more reckless or risky drivers.
- Bias: Cultural stereotypes and bias can come into play, influencing assumptions made about drivers of different colored vehicles.
However, more research is still needed to fully understand all the factors at play. It’s likely a complex interaction of visibility, psychology, bias, and more.
What colors do police officers recommend avoiding?
In one survey of police officers about vehicle colors, over half recommended avoiding black, red, silver, or blue cars if wanting to steer clear of tickets.
Almost 50% of officers said black cars were the riskiest color, followed by red (22%), silver (14%), and blue (11%). Officers stated these colors tend to attract the most attention on the roadways from law enforcement.
In contrast, the survey found over 40% of officers said white or lighter-colored vehicles were least likely to get pulled over. Other low-risk colors identified were yellow, gold, orange, green, and purple.
Do the statistics hold true across vehicle types?
When looking at the ticketing statistics across vehicle segments, the results hold consistent:
Sedans
Black and silver sedans had the highest citation rates, while white and gray sedans were ticketed least.
SUVs
For SUVs, black, gray, and silver models were ticketed most frequently, with white models receiving the fewest citations.
Trucks
Among pickup trucks, black, red, and gray trucks attracted the most tickets, while white trucks had the lowest citation rates.
So while ticketing rates can vary slightly across vehicle types, darker-colored models consistently tend to be at greater risk for traffic stops and infractions.
How do vehicle color ticket rates compare by state?
The impact of vehicle color on citation rates does vary somewhat from state to state. Here are ticketing statistics by color for a sample of states:
| State | Color Most Ticketed | Color Least Ticketed |
|---|---|---|
| California | Black | White |
| Texas | Black | Orange |
| Florida | Gray | Yellow |
| New York | Red | White |
| Illinois | Silver | White |
While darker model colors tend to get cited the most nationwide, bright shades like orange, yellow, and white consistently have lower ticketing chances across states.
Have vehicle color ticket rates changed over time?
Looking at ticketing statistics over the past decade, citation rates by color have remained relatively consistent.
Black vehicles have ranked as the most ticketed color in the majority of years reviewed. Meanwhile, white vehicles almost always have the lowest citation rate.
This suggests driver stereotyping and assumptions based on vehicle color have persisted over time among traffic police.
What COLORS should you AVOID to REDUCE tickets?
Based on the overall ticketing statistics, these vehicle colors have the highest risk of attracting attention and citations from traffic officers:
- Black
- Gray
- Silver
- Red
- Blue
Drivers wanting to avoid extra run-ins with traffic law enforcement may want to steer clear of purchasing vehicles in darker shades. Opting for white, yellow, orange, or bright green cars could help reduce tickets.
What vehicle colors are WORST for resale value?
In addition to increased ticketing risk, some vehicle colors also carry lower resale value. Colors that tend to depreciate the most include:
- Brown
- Gray
- Gold
- Purple
- Orange
So while orange may be a safer choice for avoiding tickets, it could hurt your car’s resale value down the road. Neutral colors like white, black, and silver typically hold their value the best at resale.
Does color impact insurance rates?
While some insurers do factor color into risk models, most do not use it to determine insurance premiums and rates. However, insurers may associate certain colors with increased risk of collisions and claims. Colors thought to be higher-risk include:
- Red
- Black
- Gray
- Orange
- Green
So while color may not directly impact your rates, choosing a “high-risk” color could potentially increase your risk profile with an auto insurer.
Conclusion
Vehicle color does appear to influence ticketing frequency, with black, gray, and silver cars most often cited for traffic violations according to the data. Brighter shades like white and yellow tend to attract less police attention on the road. Drivers should factor in both ticketing risks and resale value when choosing an exterior color.
While discrimination based on car color raises concerns, further study is required to understand all the elements influencing ticketing disparities. Raising law enforcement awareness of potential bias by vehicle shade could help improve equitable treatment of all drivers.
