Author Topic: car colour...does it affect safety? (Read 4632 times)

21Rouge · « **on:** March 07, 2009, 08:09:35 pm »

My wife is does not want to consider black or white for a new car as she believes all else being equal that these colours make for a less safe car. I am sure insurance companies have such data. What do you think?

mmret · « **Reply #1 on:** March 07, 2009, 08:22:37 pm »

I can see it having an effect, but how much? Negligible imo.

Giant Dwarf · « **Reply #2 on:** March 07, 2009, 08:29:44 pm »

When getting a quote for auto insurance, have you ever been asked the colour of the car? I haven't and I suspect that's because, as mmret said, it's so negligible it doesn't matter.

Cord · « **Reply #3 on:** March 07, 2009, 08:30:18 pm »

If it was statistically significant wouldn't insurance companies charge higher premiums for certain colors?

Squishy · « **Reply #4 on:** March 07, 2009, 08:49:54 pm »

It may be negligable overall, but I do notice a difference. If you drive a white/grey/silver car, you better make sure your taillights are on when the snow starts to fall. Black cars are still pretty visible at night with taillights off, because the paint is very reflective in most cases. I could see it being a hazard if you forget to turn on your lights and your black car is covered in dust or mud.

EV Dan · « **Reply #5 on:** March 07, 2009, 09:05:51 pm »

I was wondering about the same thing. All things equal dark metallic grey should make any car blend with the road making it less noticeable in blind spots and other tricky cases. Red must be the most visible as it doesnt happen often in nature. I figure thats why a 'red light' is red.

brou · « **Reply #6 on:** March 07, 2009, 09:26:44 pm »

If someone ever builds up stats about this, I bet there'll be more silver/grey cars involved in accidents than any other colors. Simply because this is the most popular "color."

KRS · « **Reply #7 on:** March 07, 2009, 09:28:05 pm »

I remember when the OPP converted from black and white cruisers to al white that one of the reasons claimed was that the all white car was supposed to be more noticeable according to some study they had. I never saw the actual study they quoted but I remember it being quoted.

Cord · « **Reply #8 on:** March 07, 2009, 09:39:41 pm »

Quote from: KRS on March 07, 2009, 09:28:05 pm

I remember when the OPP converted from black and white cruisers to al white that one of the reasons claimed was that the all white car was supposed to be more noticeable according to some study they had. I never saw the actual study they quoted but I remember it being quoted.

Many police forces have made the switch from coloured cars to white ones with a few tape stripes. The reason is cost.

airbalancer · « **Reply #9 on:** March 07, 2009, 09:42:16 pm »

The OPP have gone back to B&W, so what does mean?

EV Dan · « **Reply #10 on:** March 07, 2009, 09:45:49 pm »

Quote from: airbalancer on March 07, 2009, 09:42:16 pm

The OPP have gone back to B&W, so what does mean?

Prolly just being ethnically neutral

Cord · « **Reply #11 on:** March 07, 2009, 09:47:17 pm »

Quote from: airbalancer on March 07, 2009, 09:42:16 pm

The OPP have gone back to B&W, so what does mean?

Ontario taxes are too high?

dr_spock · « **Reply #12 on:** March 07, 2009, 09:49:13 pm »

Or they have gone retro. Wasn't B&W their colours from years passed?

Dark grey is nasty when they don't have their lights on in the dark and their tail light reflectors are covered in dirt.

KRS · « **Reply #13 on:** March 07, 2009, 09:52:40 pm »

Quote from: Cord on March 07, 2009, 09:39:41 pm

Many police forces have made the switch from coloured cars to white ones with a few tape stripes. The reason is cost.

I have no doubt that was the real reason but I do remember the claim of improved safety because of higher visiblity. I don't claim to believe it but that was what they said at the time.

vdk · « **Reply #14 on:** March 07, 2009, 10:06:22 pm »

I personally tend to notice white full size sedans better than black ones..

Jester13 · « **Reply #15 on:** March 07, 2009, 10:23:22 pm »

My wife doesn't mind black but she is totaly against white. Her fear is that people won't see you in the winter because the car would blend with the snow.

I can see her point but then wouldn't a grey car blend in with the buildings downtown? Green car with the trees in the country? Blue with the water near a lake or ocean?

And then if you go for a brightly coloured car, they are probably more likely to attract a thief and be stollen.

In my experience, insurance has never asked me for the colour on a quote. They may ask you later for information in your file.

KRS · « **Reply #16 on:** March 07, 2009, 10:30:03 pm »

I went looking and found this link that references a Daimler Benz study on colours. Apparently white and light ivory is great to be noticed, but dark blue is the colour of choice for getaway cars. Who would of thunk it.

http://www.landtransport.govt.nz/fascinating-facts/safe-vehicle-colours.html

Jester13 · « **Reply #17 on:** March 07, 2009, 11:25:46 pm »

Yes but as you read on they also add a blurb about the conditions of your surroundings having an effect on how visible a particular colour is.

And I wonder if the bland coloured cars like grey and silver are less noticable due to their visibility, or the fact that they are the most common colours seen on vehicles and therfore "do not stand out in a croud" so to speak?

Squishy · « **Reply #18 on:** March 08, 2009, 08:27:47 am »

As far as the OPP goes, I don't remember hearing about increased visibility when they switched to white - the main thing was cost of painting/decals. Now I have heard that the reason they switched back to black and white is because of visibility, because that colour scheme is unique on the roads and thus stands out.

safristi · « **Reply #19 on:** March 08, 2009, 10:09:53 am »

Ize make sure i'm visible................................