International studies reveal vehicle colour is important for safety on the road
On the Car Insurance Blog we have discussed in a few earlier posts the fact that vehicle colour does matter for car insurance companies in South Africa. This is somewhat different to the belief held by some insurers abroad. On many websites the fact that vehicle colour is important for car insurance is even regarded as a myth…
Car Insurance, Vehicle Colour and Accident Risk
It now appears that there is some scientific backing for the fact that car insurance companies need to take note of vehicle colour when calculating risk and car insurance premiums!
Which colour of car is safest on the road?
We would like to quote:
“Buyers interested in a good resale price tend to opt for black, silver or dark blue cars but, when it comes to safety, experts say white should be the colour of choice.
According to Germany’s Tuev-Nord testing agency, white cars are less likely to be crashed into by other vehicles when the ambient light is poor. Black cars are the least visible, even in bright sunshine, followed by popular shades such as anthracite and grey.
Accident figures from around the world reflect the risks posed by darker colours. Bright and vibrant whites and yellows reflect the light better, making them more visible.
A Swedish study found that pink cars were involved in the fewest accidents, while in Australia, research conducted by Monash University Accident Unit found that black cars were 12% more likely than white ones to be involved in a collision. This was followed by grey and silver cars.
A study at New Zealand’s University of Auckland also linked car colour to rates of injury-causing accidents. The study showed that those who drove brown cars were at the highest risk of sustaining an injury in a car crash.
Black and green vehicles also showed a high risk of involvement in injury-causing accidents. Buyers interested in a good resale price tend to opt for black, silver or dark blue cars but, when it comes to safety, experts say white should be the colour of choice.
[Info Sapa -dpa]
For car insurance and vehicle colour also view:
Your colour does affect car insurance in South Africa
