You’ve probably heard it from your dad or a cynical insurance agent: "Don't buy the red one, it’s a ticket magnet." Or worse, "Red cars are crash magnets." It’s one of those automotive urban legends that just won't die. People swear by it. They think the color red somehow triggers a primal, aggressive response in other drivers or that the people who buy red cars are naturally more reckless. But does the data back any of this up?
Let's be real. Buying a car is a massive emotional and financial decision. You want to look good, but you also want to stay alive. If you're standing on a dealership lot staring at a "Soul Red" Mazda or a "Torrido Red" BMW, you might be wondering if that paint job is actually a liability.
Do Red Cars Get in More Accidents More Often?
Honestly, the short answer is no. Not really. But it’s complicated. If we look strictly at the raw numbers from major studies, red isn't actually the "most dangerous" color on the road. That title usually goes to black, grey, or silver. Why? Visibility.
Research from the Monash University Accident Research Centre (MUARC) in Australia—one of the most cited studies on vehicle color safety—found that black cars are significantly more likely to be involved in crashes. Specifically, during daylight hours, black cars had a 12% higher crash risk compared to white cars. At dawn or dusk, that risk jumped to 47%.
Red cars did show a slightly higher risk than white cars in some data sets, but it wasn't the outlier people think it is. In fact, red often performs better than silver or grey in low-light conditions because it doesn't blend into the asphalt or the "grey" gloom of a rainy day quite as easily.
The Visibility Factor
Think about it this way. Contrast is king. A white car stands out against almost every background: green grass, black pavement, brown dirt. A red car is also pretty high-contrast. The colors that actually get into more accidents are the ones that act like camouflage. Silver cars are notorious for disappearing into the mist. Grey cars look exactly like the road behind them in a rearview mirror.
When people ask if red cars get in more accidents, they’re usually thinking about behavior, not physics. They assume red car drivers are speed demons. While there might be a tiny grain of truth to the idea that certain "personalities" gravitate toward flashy colors, that doesn't necessarily translate to a higher crash rate for the color itself.
🔗 Read more: At Home French Manicure: Why Yours Looks Cheap and How to Fix It
The Insurance Myth: Does Color Affect Your Premium?
This is the big one. Everyone thinks red cars cost more to insure.
I’ll tell you right now: insurance companies do not ask for your car's color when you get a quote. They want the VIN (Vehicle Identification Number). The VIN tells them the year, make, model, engine size, and safety features. It doesn't typically encode the paint color in a way that affects the premium calculation.
If you're paying more for a red car, it’s probably because you bought a "Sport" trim or a high-performance model that happened to be red. Insurance companies care about how much it costs to replace the parts and how likely the model is to be stolen or crashed. They don't care if it’s "Rosso Corsa" or "Beige."
- Fact: Your driving record matters more than your paint.
- Fact: Safety ratings (IIHS/NHTSA) are the real needle-movers for cost.
- Observation: A red minivan is still a minivan to an underwriter.
Why Do We Think Red Cars Are Dangerous?
It’s mostly psychological. Red is the color of blood, fire, and "stop" signs. It’s an evolutionary "pay attention" signal.
Because red is so visible, when a red car does get into an accident, you notice it. It’s a classic case of availability bias. If you see a silver car in a fender bender, your brain might just register "car accident." If you see a bright red Ferrari or even a red Civic smashed up, the color sticks in your memory. You're more likely to recall it later when someone asks you about car safety.
There’s also the "cop magnet" theory. Many drivers believe police are more likely to pull over red cars for speeding. Interestingly, some informal studies and anecdotes from officers suggest that while they don't consciously hunt for red cars, a red car going 85 mph in a 65 mph zone is simply easier to spot than a dark blue car doing the same speed. It draws the eye. But getting pulled over isn't the same as getting into an accident.
💡 You might also like: Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen Menu: Why You’re Probably Ordering Wrong
The Safest Color Choice According to Experts
If you are truly obsessed with safety and want to minimize your risk based on color alone, the answer is almost always white.
The Monash study and several others (including data from the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety) consistently point to white as the safest color. It has the highest visibility under the widest range of lighting conditions. Yellow is also incredibly safe—which is why school buses and many fire trucks are yellow or lime-green—but let’s be honest, not many people want to drive a "School Bus Yellow" sedan.
Breaking Down the "Danger" Rankings
If we had to rank car colors from "most likely to be in a crash" to "least likely," it would look something like this based on the MUARC data:
- Black: The ultimate camouflage at night and in shadows.
- Grey and Silver: These disappear during rain and on overcast days.
- Blue and Red: Middle of the road. Visible, but can still blend into dark surroundings.
- Yellow: Very high visibility, though rare.
- White: The gold standard for safety.
So, do red cars get in more accidents? No. They are actually safer than black or silver cars in many scenarios.
The Role of the Driver vs. The Paint
We can't talk about accidents without talking about the person behind the wheel. There is a concept in psychology called Sensation Seeking. Some researchers have explored whether people with high sensation-seeking scores—those who crave excitement and take risks—are more likely to choose "arousing" colors like red.
Even if that’s true, the "red car" isn't causing the accident. The driver's choices are. A reckless driver in a white Volvo is still more dangerous than a cautious driver in a red Mustang.
📖 Related: 100 Biggest Cities in the US: Why the Map You Know is Wrong
Practical Takeaways for Your Next Car Purchase
If you're at the dealership right now and you're sweating over the color choice, here’s how to actually think about it:
First, don't let the "insurance will be higher" myth stop you. It’s fake. If you love the red, get the red.
Second, if you live in a place with lots of fog, rain, or overcast skies (think Seattle or London), maybe reconsider that "Tungsten Grey" or "Quicksand" color. Those colors truly do become invisible when the weather turns. If you go with a low-visibility color, make sure you keep your daytime running lights on at all times.
Third, think about maintenance. Red paint—especially older formulations—is notorious for fading if left in the sun (oxidation). While modern clear coats are much better, a faded, "pinkish" red car might have a lower resale value than a crisp white or black one.
Actionable Safety Steps
Since color is only a tiny fraction of the safety equation, focus on what actually prevents crashes:
- Check the lighting: Ensure your headlights are clear. Cloudy plastic lenses on an older car reduce your visibility more than any paint color ever could.
- Adaptive Safety Tech: Prioritize cars with Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) and Blind Spot Monitoring. These save lives; white paint just helps a little.
- Tires: Your contact patch with the road is more important than the color of your hood. Check your tread depth every season.
- Cleanliness: A dirty red car is less visible than a clean one. Keep your car washed, especially the lights and reflective surfaces.
Red is a bold, classic choice. It’s the color of the 1960s sports car era and the modern high-end SUV. The idea that it’s a "death trap" or a "money pit" is just old-school folklore that hasn't stood up to modern data analysis. If you like the way it looks in your driveway, buy it. Just keep your eyes on the road and your hands on the wheel—because the car’s color won't save you from a distracted text, but your focus will.
Ultimately, the safety of your vehicle is about 10% the car's features and 90% the person operating it. Choose a color that makes you happy, stay on top of your maintenance, and drive like everyone else on the road is trying to hit you—regardless of what color they’re driving.