The choice of black, red, white, silver or a custom color may seem like an innocuous decision when choosing a vehicle. But a review of data from the Minnesota Department of Transportation finds that there may be a connection between car color and the risk of an accident.
Vehicle color can influence crash risk through visibility. Visibility affects reaction time and reaction time affects stopping distance which impacts the severity of the collision. These facts matter in insurance claims and civil lawsuits, especially when crash reconstruction raises questions about what a reasonable driver could see.
How does visibility impact crash exposure?
Low contrast between a vehicle and its surroundings reduces the chances that another driver will see the vehicle. Dark vehicles blend into night conditions, shaded roadways, storm clouds, asphalt and even tree lines. Glare, precipitation and road spray further reduce contrast. Although headlights improve forward illumination, side profile visibility depends heavily on ambient light and color contrast.
What does the data tell us?
The Minnesota Department of Transportation has reported that the majority of fatal accidents involved black vehicles. That type of finding supports a visibility-based risk discussion.
It is important to note that there are additional variables that also play a role. Time of day and the fact that there are simply more vehicles of certain colors available can also play a role. Regardless, the fact that certain colors can increase visibility and thereby reduce the risk of a crash remains of value.
What can drivers do to increase visibility?
The following steps can help to better ensure that even dark colored vehicles are more visible and reduce the risk of a car crash:
- Maintain all exterior lighting, including tail lamps, brake lamps and side markers
- Use headlights in low light, in precipitation and in fog conditions when appropriate
- Keep the vehicle clean as salt and dirt can cause the vehicle to further blend into surroundings
Color may feel like a style choice, but the visibility it creates can influence crash risk especially when lighting, weather and background conditions make it harder for drivers to detect other vehicles in time to react. The Minnesota data highlighting a high share of fatal crashes involving black vehicles reinforces a common-sense takeaway: higher contrast generally makes a vehicle easier to see, and easier to see often means more time to avoid a collision.
At the same time, smart driving and good vehicle maintenance can narrow the visibility gap. If you drive a darker vehicle, you can still make it stand out by keeping your lights in working order, using headlights when conditions reduce contrast, and cleaning off road film that dulls reflective surfaces. In the end, you can not control every variable on the road — but you can control how visible you make your vehicle, and that can make a meaningful difference in safety.