| A team from the Monash University in Australia has | | | | the safest, but they also mentioned that orange may |
| revealed that black cars are close to 50% more likely | | | | be even safer than white cars. This fact may be true |
| to be involved in accidents. The study published in the | | | | as some dive watches have bright orange dials and |
| Safety Science journal, which was reported to have | | | | harp on this fact. |
| comprised of data collected over a period of 20 | | | | Of course, the study goes on to say that while their |
| years has shown that a black car is the most | | | | findings suggest that if people buy less black cars |
| dangerous colour (or non-colour, since its black). It | | | | there could be less accidents, it may not be entirely |
| was also concluded that the other, somewhat | | | | true as they then say that if everyone bought white |
| dangerous coloured cars to drive around in are grey, | | | | cars this would then result in less colour contrast on |
| silver, red and blue coloured cars. This is as the cars | | | | the roads resulting in the vehicles really blending into |
| in this colours somehow blends in better with the | | | | one another. Imagine every car being white or |
| background or the road, scenery or other cars. In | | | | yellow, now that won't do too. They go on and |
| short, a car with the colours mentioned above do not | | | | state that colour is a much less influential crash risk |
| stand out in a sea of traffic and scenery. | | | | modifier than behavioural traits such as drink-driving, |
| The researchers looked through as many as 850,000 | | | | and speeding. They also then conclude that 'It may |
| accident date from the police for information on the | | | | be possible that simple solutions such as the use of |
| car, the time of the accident and the type of | | | | daytime running lights or headlights could effectively |
| accident. They somehow did not look at commercial | | | | negate the elevated risks of higher risk vehicle |
| vehicles, like taxis and delivery vans, even though I | | | | colours.'; which is what Audi, Porsche, Mercedes and |
| somehow think that these vehicles usually have a | | | | almost all the big names have started using. |
| higher change of getting involved in an accident as | | | | Having actually driven and maintained a black 1981 |
| they ply the streets more than other people do. | | | | Honda Civic for a long time (still own it actually) and |
| Anyway, the researchers, who have basically | | | | then a silver car, I think that I had better luck driving |
| dedicated their lives to reviewing accident after | | | | the silver car as I remember being reversed into by |
| accident have found that during daylight, black cars | | | | another driver while driving the black car a long time |
| were approximately 12% more likely to meet up with | | | | ago (in a galaxy far, far away). The driver said she |
| an accident over white vehicles and if it goes dark, | | | | didn't see me as she slotted in reverse and just went |
| throughout dusk till dawn the chances of a black car | | | | straight into the Civic's bumper and grill. Back then I |
| meeting with an accident rose to 47%. | | | | was a lowly student, so it was painful if you know |
| So we now know that a black car is the most | | | | what I mean. I Never had that problem in my silver |
| susceptible to getting involved in accidents. What are | | | | car and nothing of that 'being invisible' kind of feeling |
| the safest colours to drive around in then? According | | | | while driving my current white coloured ride. Research |
| to the researchers, white, gold and yellow cars are | | | | like this makes you ponder a little. |