Hey there! As a long-time auto enthusiast and car collector, I‘m often asked if certain colors increase your chances of getting pulled over. So let‘s take an in-depth look at what the research shows about speeding tickets and car colors.
Darker Paint Jobs Are More Prone to Speed Traps
Multiple large studies suggest darker colored cars catch the attention of traffic cops more than their lighter counterparts.
One of the most comprehensive analyses comes from a 1990 report published in Public Health Reports. Researchers observed over 100,000 vehicles across several states, tracking each car‘s color and whether it got pulled over. Here were the results:
| Car Color | Percentage of Vehicles Observed | Percentage of Speeding Tickets Issued |
|---|---|---|
| Black | 15% | 23% |
| Dark Blue | 6% | 10% |
| Red | 15% | 14% |
| White | 27% | 16% |
As you can see, black cars were significantly overrepresented when it came to speeding tickets compared to their presence on the roads observed. Dark blue vehicles also got pulled over at a higher rate than expected based on the data.
Another revealing study comes from Quality Planning, an insurance industry research firm. They analyzed over 2 million traffic stops between 2004-2008 and broke down the results between black cars and white cars:
| Time of Day | Percentage of Speeding Tickets – Black Cars | Percentage of Speeding Tickets – White Cars |
|---|---|---|
| Daytime | 23% more than white cars | N/A |
| Nighttime | 68% more than white cars | N/A |
As you can see, the black paint jobs attracted significantly more cop attention. And the difference was even more pronounced once the sun went down.
Why Do Darker Colors Get Targeted More?
Researchers suggest a few reasons why black, blue, gray and red cars seem to catch a police officer‘s eye more than lighter colors:
- Blending into surroundings: Darker paint jobs can more easily blend into the scenery at night. This makes it harder for cops to accurately judge a car‘s speed.
- Perceived stealth: Drivers of black or blue vehicles may feel their darker car provides cover to speed without getting caught.
- Performance styling: Many high-end sports cars known for speed come in darker shades direct from the factory. Police may profile based on vehicle style.
- Attention-grabbing colors: Bright red cars popping in and out of traffic attract more eyes. Officers take notice when driving seems erratic.
Now you might be wondering – do cops really profile drivers based on stereotypes linked to car color? Most officers would insist they don‘t…but the human brain works quick! Seeing a flashy sports car weaving through traffic in a dark color might automatically raise more red flags than a silver minivan doing the same maneuvers at lower speeds.
Which Colors Catch a Break From Traffic Cops?
On the other end of the spectrum, lighter colored cars seem to fly under the radar when it comes to speed enforcement. Looking back at that Public Health Reports study, white cars made up 27% of vehicles observed, but only received 16% of the speeding tickets. Beige and silver vehicles also fared better than expected.
And in the Quality Planning insurance data crunch, white cars got pulled over significantly less than black ones:
- 23% fewer tickets for white cars during daytime hours
- 37% fewer tickets for white vehicles after dark
There‘s a few reasons why white and other light colors may not attract as much cop attention:
- Higher visibility: White cars stand out clearly against most backdrops, especially at night. It‘s easier to judge speed.
- Perceived caution: Drivers likely feel their light color makes them more visible, so they resist pushing the speed limit.
- Vehicle style: Lots of larger vehicles like vans and trucks come white from the factory. Drivers are less inclined to speed aggressively.
So if you‘re looking to avoid speed traps, go white…or silver, beige, yellow, or light blue! Just keep in mind that a bright red Ferrari will still turn heads, even if the color isn‘t quite a bullseye.
Does Driving a Red Car Really Increase Your Ticket Risk?
Here‘s a common belief – red cars get pulled over more than other colors. But does the data actually back up this reputation? The evidence is somewhat mixed.
Remember that Public Health Reports study I mentioned earlier? It found red cars got ticketed at almost exactly the expected rate based on their total presence on the roads observed. But the 1990 study didn‘t directly compare red to other colors.
More recent research muddies the waters even further:
- A 2007 analysis by Colorado State University looked at 210 vehicles specifically involved in speeding incidents. It found no significant difference in citations between red cars and blue cars. Both colors got targeted more than white or silver vehicles.
- In 2018, an insurance industry study examined data from over 6 million car insurance quotes. The results showed insurers consider red cars a lower risk for accidents compared to other colors.
This suggests red doesn‘t deserve its notoriety as an excessive ticket magnet. Driving behavior and car type likely outweigh color alone in attracting attention. For example, a red BMW driving aggressively will get noticed quickly even though a red sedan driving safely might not.
What Other Factors Influence a Car‘s Likelihood of Getting Pulled Over?
While paint color can play a role in ticketing patterns, many other variables also impact a car‘s chances of getting flagged for speeding:
- Driver age – Younger motorists, especially teens and 20-somethings, get targeted more frequently. Cops keep close watch on cars driven by younger demographics.
- Driving record – Vehicles with plates tied to drivers with past tickets or offenses may already be on an officer‘s radar. Expect extra scrutiny.
- Window tinting – Cars with excessively dark window tint can draw a cop‘s attention because it limits interior visibility. Illegal tinting is an easy reason to pull someone over.
- Vehicle type – High-performance cars inherently attract more suspicion than family sedans and get ticketed more often. Make and model matters.
- Driving behavior – Sudden accelerations, frequent lane changes, and erratic maneuvers will get you noticed quickly no matter what color your car is. Aggressive driving is a magnet for stops.
- Regional enforcement – Some county sheriff departments and state police rigorously crack down on all speeding. Expect more tickets across the board in strict districts.
How to Actually Avoid Speeding Tickets
While no color makes your car invisible to speed traps, some common sense techniques can reduce your chances of getting stopped:
- Obey speed limits – This one‘s obvious, but especially crucial around schools, construction zones, residential areas, and anywhere fines get doubled. Use cruise control on highways to avoid drifting over.
- Avoid aggressive driving – Sudden accelerations, frequent lane changes, and tailgating will get you noticed quickly. Drive smoothly and predictably.
- Focus fully on driving – No phones, texting, or distractions! Keep your eyes on the road and hands on the wheel.
- Maintain visibility – Keep your windshield clean inside and out. Replace wipers if they start streaking.
- Watch for speed trap hiding spots – Under overpasses, parked off exit ramps, and behind curves are favorite ambush points.
- Calibrate your speedometer – Make sure it‘s displaying your actual speed accurately. Radar guns don‘t lie!
At the end of the day, driving carefully trumps car color when it comes to avoiding tickets. But choosing a lighter color over black or red likely offers some modest protection for your insurance rates and wallet. Personally, I opt for white or silver to help avoid attracting extra scrutiny! Regardless of your paint job, sticking to speed limits and staying alert for traps is always your best defense.
Hope this breakdown helps explain the research on car color and tickets. Let me know if you have any other driving questions!
