Do Red Cars Get More Tickets?

There’s a common rumor that red cars attract more speeding tickets than cars of other colors and it has circulated through society for decades. The rumor is that the color red attracts the eye of police so they notice red vehicles speeding more than they do other colors. This supposedly results in red car owners receiving a disproportionate share of speeding tickets.

Color-Initiated Optical Illusion

An alternative theory states it may be caused by a color-initiated optical illusion that makes red cars appear to be going faster than they actually are. It’s also been suggested that perhaps the color influences driver behavior. Because red is often associated with aggression, it’s believed to cause an increase in drivers’ breathing and heart rates, inciting operators to drive faster without even being consciously aware of it.

Favorite Sports Car Color Is Red

Yet another line of thought ties sports cars to the color red, as it was one of their most popular colors. This line of reason suggests that if sports cars are ticketed more often and the favorite sports car color is red, then red cars would earn far more speeding tickets than vehicles of other colors. They are all great theories, but none of them hold water because red cars simply do not get ticketed more often than they statistically should.

White Cars Ticketed Less

Actually, in a 1990 study it was found that white cars were ticketed less often than they should have been, suggesting that perhaps police tend not to notice white vehicles breaking the law. Gray cars were the biggest heat scores, getting a far greater share of speeding tickets than they statistically should have. On the flip side, silver cars seemed to get noticed the least and as a result, got the smallest number of tickets out of all the colors.

So, the answer to whether it’s true or false that red cars get more speeding tickets is that it’s FALSE.

Why Does It Seem Red Cars Get More Tickets?

Perception and Popularity

Perception

Red cars are often perceived as more aggressive and faster, which might contribute to the belief that they are ticketed more frequently.

Popularity

The popularity of red cars can vary by region, which might influence the number of tickets. If more people own red cars in a given area, it could lead to a higher number of tickets simply due to higher prevalence.

Studies and Statistics

Studies

Various studies have attempted to analyze traffic ticket data to determine if red cars are ticketed more often. Some studies suggest there might be a slight correlation, but many do not find significant evidence to support the claim.

Insurance Data

Insurance companies, which closely analyze risk factors, do not generally charge higher premiums for red cars. This suggests that red cars are not statistically proven to receive more tickets.

Factors Influencing Tickets

Driver Behavior

The behavior of the driver is a more significant factor in receiving tickets than the color of the car. Aggressive driving, speeding and other violations are primary reasons for tickets.

Visibility

Brightly colored cars, including red, might be more noticeable, but this does not necessarily translate to a higher likelihood of being ticketed.

Conclusion

While the myth persists, there is no substantial evidence to support the idea that red cars get more tickets simply because of their color. Driving behavior, location and other factors play a more crucial role in determining the likelihood of receiving traffic tickets.

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