When people shop for new cars, they are often looking for high safety ratings and positive crash test ratings. They may also be looking for specific safety equipment, such as automatic braking systems or blind-spot monitoring systems. They want the safest possible vehicle that can help them avoid an accident—or prevent the most serious injuries if an accident occurs.
One thing that it may be wise to consider, then, is the color of the car itself. Studies have found that white cars tend to be the safest, whereas black or gray cars have the highest accident rates. A white vehicle is approximately 12% less likely to be involved in a crash.
Why does this happen?
It is certainly true that, while cars come in a wide variety of colors, some are more common than others. White and silver vehicles are quite common, for instance, as are black and gray. Brighter vehicles, like red or yellow cars, are found much less often. They are often sports cars, designed intentionally to attract attention.
But in an everyday sense, the most important color-related safety factor is how well the car stands out against the road and the background. Someone in a white vehicle is simply more likely to be spotted by other drivers. If the vehicle is black or gray, it tends to blend into the background and may be overlooked, especially around dusk or dawn, or in other low-light conditions, such as fog or a rainstorm.
Of course, no matter what color of car you have, there is always a chance you could be injured in an accident caused by another negligent driver. If so, take the time to carefully look into your options to seek compensation.
