Which Car Colors Are Safer Than Others?

Several international studies have shown that silver cars are involved in considerably fewer on-road collisions than cars of any other single color.

What is the difference? Maybe silver cars attract safer drivers. Perhaps loud, flamboyant colors draw wilder drivers. We can only guess.

We do know that more drivers of red and black cars receive more speeding tickets than those in subtler colored vehicles, even though silver cars are simpler to spot on the street.

So silver is safer. According to the same studies, cars of brown, beige, olive, and other natural tones tend to be involved in a greater number of accidents. Camouflage may be wonderful for moths and chameleons, but it's not such a great idea for moving vehicles.

Researchers in Sweden recently claimed that black cars are five times as likely to crash as silver ones. The Swedes contend that pink cars are the safest. (Bring on the Pepto-Bismol, and we'll all be safe!)

Silver is not only the safest on-road choice, but it tends to show dirt the least. (Those of us who must be nagged repeatedly to wash our cars will appreciate this.)

Metallic colors do cost a bit more than traditional flat ones, but it may be worth those silver dollars! (Gee, maybe those carwash savings can offset the higher sticker price.)

Metallic silver is the most popular car choice in the United States, Europe, and Asia. Besides silver, the most popular car colors these days are red and white.