Red cars have long had a reputation for being involved in more accidents than other colored vehicles. But is this reputation deserved? Do red cars really crash more often than cars of other colors? Let’s examine the data and research on this question.
Studies on Crash Rates by Car Color
Several studies have investigated whether red cars are overrepresented in accidents compared to other car colors. Here is a summary of the key findings:
New Zealand Study
A landmark study conducted in New Zealand in the 1990s analyzed over 850,000 car crashes over a five year period. It found that red cars were overrepresented in crashes, being involved in 12% more accidents than would be expected based on their prevalence on the roads. The researchers estimated that choosing a red car over a white one was associated with a 24% increase in risk of being in a serious crash.
UK Study
A UK study examined police records of over 800,000 car crashes from 1990 to 2005. It also found red cars had higher crash rates, being involved in 14% more accidents per 10,000 vehicles compared to the safest car color, which was gold.
Swedish Study
Researchers in Sweden investigated records of over 50,000 crashes between 2008 and 2010. They found red cars had a 16% higher accident rate per 10,000 registered vehicles compared to silver cars, which had the lowest risk.
So multiple large studies in different countries have consistently shown red cars experience higher crash rates. But why? Let’s explore some hypotheses.
Potential Explanations for Higher Crash Rates of Red Cars
Visibility and Conspicuity Factors
One prominent theory is related to a red car’s visibility. The bright, warm color may make red vehicles more noticeable in peripheral vision compared to cooler, less saturated colors like silver, gray or blue. This increased conspicuity could lead other drivers to misjudge the distance or speed of red cars.
Research has shown our color perception and reaction times vary depending on wavelengths of light. Red targets often appear closer than blue ones, an effect known as color fringing. So the bright red color may visually advance a car in the field of view of other drivers.
Driver Aggression and Road Rage
Some researchers have proposed that the bold, intense red color triggers aggression or competitiveness in other drivers. Red is associated with passion, dominance, and danger signals in nature. So other drivers may subconsciously react combatively or take more risks around red vehicles.
Surveys have found many drivers feel red cars are driven more aggressively. And some studies show drivers of red cars are perceived as having higher status, attractiveness and driving prowess. This may encourage them to drive faster or more recklessly.
Demographic Factors
In several studies, drivers of red cars tended to be younger, more likely to be male, and have higher rates of risk-taking behaviors like speeding, alcohol impairment, and low seatbelt use. So the drivers themselves, rather than the car color, may contribute to crash rates.
However, most analyses have controlled for driver demographics and still found increased risk for red cars. So car color itself seems to be a factor beyond characteristics of the drivers.
Vehicle Type
Red paint is more common on sports cars, which have higher performance capabilities. The outdated stereotype of “little red Corvettes” may persist on the roads. Other drivers may assume red cars are sports models and give them more leeway to speed or drive boldly.
Do Insurance Companies Charge More for Red Cars?
Given the research showing elevated crash rates for red cars, do auto insurers adjust rates based on vehicle color?
Insurers do consider red sports cars higher risk. But major insurance companies generally don’t use color alone as a factor in pricing. Driving history, age, location and other specifics are more predictive of an individual’s risk.
However, all else being equal, some insurers may subtly adjust premiums based on aggregate data showing higher average claims for red cars compared to other colors.
Tips for Driving Red Cars More Safely
If you own a red car or are considering buying one, here are some tips to help avoid crashes:
- Drive more defensively and increase following distance behind other cars.
- Signal turns and lane changes early so others anticipate your movements.
- Avoid aggressive acceleration or braking that may seem provocative.
- Be alert for signs of road rage or hostile driving from nearby cars.
- Keep focused on driving tasks and avoid distractions.
- Maintain proper speed for conditions rather than speed limit.
- Drive sober, alert, and well-rested – don’t rely on car color to compensate for impairments.
While studies show red cars are susceptible to more crashes, being a safe, aware driver can certainly overrule any added risk from the paint color.
Limitations of Current Research
More research is still needed to understand the nuances of how car color may correlate with accident patterns. Some limitations of the current studies include:
- Limited data from developing countries with different road conditions.
- Few naturalistic driving studies – most research relies on police crash databases.
- Minimal investigation of how red color affects perception and driving behavior.
- Research heavily focused on red – less known about risks for other colors.
- Difficult to fully isolate color as a variable from other confounding factors.
As vehicle automation evolves in the coming decades, the influence of car color on manual driving habits may become less relevant. But for now, many open questions remain about the outsized role red cars seem to hold in accident patterns.
Conclusions
In summary, extensive research conducted worldwide consistently demonstrates an elevated crash risk for red cars compared to other vehicle colors. The reasons are likely complex, involving visibility factors, driver perceptions and reactions, demographic traits, and interactions between all these elements.
Owning a red car does not destined one for a crash. But being aware of the statistical risks could help drivers take extra precautions. And knowing how color affects their own reactions and judgments may assist other motorists in driving safely amongst the vibrant variety of vehicles on the road.
With developing technology and infrastructure improvements, hopefully all car colors can co-exist responsibly, and crash rates will decline across the board. In the meantime, buckle up, drive sober and defensively – and show extra caution around red Corvettes!
