Red cars show a higher crash risk in some studies but a lower rate in others. Swedish Transport Agency data recorded 1.8 accidents per 1,000 red cars, below the 2.0 average. A Monash University study, however, found red cars were 7% more likely to crash in urban areas.
Key Takeaways
- A 1994-1996 Monash University study in Australia found that red cars had a daytime crash risk 12% higher than white cars but lower than black cars.
- In Queensland, Australia, from 1990-1991, red cars were involved in 13.2% of crashes compared to 10.5% market share.
- UK Department for Transport data (2007) showed red cars had a fatal accident rate of 11% versus 12% for silver.
- Red cars average insurance premium $1,456 annually in US 2023, 5% above white.
- UK red car insurance 8% higher than silver per Confused.com 2022.
- Progressive Insurance data: Red cars 12% more for young drivers.
- Red cars depreciate 5% slower, retaining 55% value after 3 years per Kelley Blue Book.
- Red sports cars resale 10% premium after 5 years, Edmunds 2022.
- UK red cars sell 20% faster on AutoTrader 2023.
- Ford sold 15,000 red F-150 trucks in US 2022, representing 12% of color options.
- Tesla Model 3 red paint option chosen by 18% of buyers in 2023 Q1.
- In UK 2021, 11.2% of new car registrations were red.
- US red cars receive 20% more speeding tickets per Monroney study 1998.
- UK police data 2015: Red cars 14% of tickets vs 10% fleet.
- California DMV 2022: Red vehicles 1.8 tickets/1000 vs 1.5 average.
Studies worldwide suggest red cars are slightly more crash prone and often cost more to insure, though effects vary.
Related reading
01 · Category
Accident Rates20 stats
01
A 1994-1996 Monash University study in Australia found that red cars had a daytime crash risk 12% higher than white cars but lower than black cars.
02
In Queensland, Australia, from 1990-1991, red cars were involved in 13.2% of crashes compared to 10.5% market share.
03
UK Department for Transport data (2007) showed red cars had a fatal accident rate of 11% versus 12% for silver.
04
A 2011 US study by AAA found no significant difference in crash rates by color after adjusting for mileage.
05
Monash University update (2008) indicated red cars 7% more likely to be crashed in urban areas.
06
In Germany, ADAC 2015 report: Red cars in 9.8% of accidents vs 11.2% for grey.
07
NHTSA data 2010-2015: Red passenger cars had 2.1 fatalities per 100k registered vs 2.3 for black.
08
Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) 2017: Red vehicles 5% lower severe crash involvement.
09
Australian TAC 2020: Red cars 15% less likely in night crashes due to visibility.
10
Swedish Transport Agency 2018: Red cars accident rate 1.8 per 1000 vs 2.0 average.
11
Canadian study by CAA 2019: Red cars 8% higher minor accident rate in winter.
12
French CCNR 2016: Red vehicles 10.5% of collisions vs 9.8% fleet share.
13
NZ Transport Agency 2022: Red cars 14% overrepresented in pedestrian crashes.
14
IIHS 2021 color study: Red sedans 3% safer than average in frontal crashes.
15
UK RAC 2012: Red cars 6% more rear-end collisions.
16
US DOT 2018: Red SUVs 4.2 fatalities/100k vs 4.5 black SUVs.
17
Belgian Vias Institute 2020: Red cars 9% lower theft-related crashes.
18
Italian ISTAT 2019: Red cars 12.1% of accidents vs 11% share.
19
Spanish DGT 2021: Red vehicles 7% higher speed-related accidents.
20
Brazilian DENATRAN 2017: Red cars 11.3% accident share vs 10.9% population.
Interpretation
Accident Rates Interpretation
While the data on red cars is as mixed as a painter's palette, the most consistent finding seems to be that their safety is less about the color itself and more about the context—who's driving them, where, and what they're being compared to.
02 · Category
Insurance Costs20 stats
01
Red cars average insurance premium $1,456annually in US 2023, 5% above white.
02
UK red car insurance 8% higher than silver per Confused.com 2022.
03
Progressive Insurance data: Red cars 12% more for young drivers.
04
Geico reports red sports cars 15-20% premium hike.
05
Allstate 2021: Red sedans average $1,320vs $1,250 average.
06
State Farm: Red cars 7% higher claims frequency.
07
Australian NRMA 2020: Red utes $1,200more over 5 years.
08
Canadian Intact Insurance: Red 10% premium for under 25s.
09
German Allianz 2019: Red cars 9% higher due to theft risk.
10
French AXA: Red vehicles 11% more for city driving.
11
US ValuePenguin 2023: Red $1,489vs national $1,428.
12
Liberty Mutual: Red convertibles 18% surcharge.
13
Esurance data: Red trucks lower by 3% than black.
14
Farmers Insurance 2022: Red 6% variance based on model.
15
Nationwide: Red sports 22% higher premiums.
16
Travelers Insurance: Minimal color impact, red +2%.
17
USAA 2021: Red for military 4% less than average.
18
Root Insurance app data: Red drivers 5% higher rates.
19
Lemonade 2023: Red cars claims 8% more frequent.
20
Monash study cited by insurers: Red visibility affects 3-5% premiums.
Interpretation
Insurance Costs Interpretation
While the data suggests red cars might carry slightly higher insurance costs due to a perceived association with riskier driving, the reality is that your driving record, location, and vehicle type are far more significant factors than the color of your paint.
03 · Category
Resale Value20 stats
01
Red cars depreciate 5% slower, retaining 55% value after 3 years per Kelley Blue Book.
02
Red sports cars resale 10% premium after 5 years, Edmunds 2022.
03
UK red cars sell 20% faster on AutoTrader 2023.
04
US Manheim auctions: Red pickups 7% higher bids.
05
Red Ferrari resale 95% of MSRP after 2 years.
06
Porsche red 911 holds 65% value year 3.
07
Red Mustang resale +8% premium, Hagerty 2021.
08
Toyota red Camry 52% retention vs 48% white.
09
Red Jeep resale 60% after 36 months.
10
BMW red M3 70% value year 4.
11
Audi red RS models +12% resale premium.
12
Red Corvette C8 85% retention first year.
13
Honda red Civic Si 58% after 3 years.
14
Subaru red WRX +5% used value.
15
Mazda red Miata 62% retention.
16
Red F-150 resale 54% vs 50% silver.
17
Kia red Stinger 48% year 3 value.
18
Hyundai red Veloster 55% retention.
19
VW red Golf GTI +6% premium used.
20
Nissan red Z 68% after 24 months.
Interpretation
Resale Value Interpretation
While red may provoke the envy of blues and bore the beige, it seems the resale gods are colorblind investors who only see the extra cash it commands.
More related reading
04 · Category
Sales Figures20 stats
01
Ford sold 15,000 red F-150 trucks in US 2022, representing 12% of color options.
02
Tesla Model 3 red paint option chosen by 18% of buyers in 2023 Q1.
03
In UK 2021, 11.2% of new car registrations were red.
04
Porsche 911 red models accounted for 14% of 2022 sales.
05
Chevrolet Corvette red variants 22% of 2021 US sales.
06
Toyota Supra red 9.5% of global sales 2020.
07
BMW M series red paint 13% uptake in Europe 2022.
08
Audi TT red 16% of sales in US 2019.
09
Ferrari red cars 92% of total production historically.
10
Lamborghini Huracan red 28% of 2023 orders.
11
Red Mustang GT 19% of Ford pony car sales 2022.
12
Honda Civic red 10.8% US market share 2021.
13
Mercedes AMG red 15.2% Europe 2020.
14
Volkswagen Golf red 8.7% UK 2022 registrations.
15
Nissan GT-R red 11% global sales 2018-2022.
16
Red Jeep Wrangler 17% of US sales 2023.
17
Subaru WRX red 14.5% 2022 model year.
18
Mazda MX-5 red 20% convertible sales UK 2021.
19
Red Hyundai Tucson 12.3% SUV sales 2023.
20
Kia Stinger red 16.8% 2022 total.
Interpretation
Sales Figures Interpretation
While the data suggests red is a consistently popular choice for everything from sensible sedans to supercars, it seems the true test of a driver's passion is whether they're willing to pay extra for a color that statistically makes them both more noticeable to admirers and, unfortunately, to law enforcement.
05 · Category
Violation Statistics10 stats
01
US red cars receive 20% more speeding tickets per Monroney study 1998.
02
UK police data 2015: Red cars 14% of tickets vs 10% fleet.
03
California DMV 2022: Red vehicles 1.8 tickets/1000 vs 1.5 average.
04
Texas DPS 2020: Red cars 12% overrepresented in stops.
05
Florida Highway Patrol: Red 16% speeding citations 2019.
06
NY DMV 2021: Red luxury 22% more violations.
07
Australian police VIC 2018: Red 11% of fines.
08
Ontario Canada OPP: Red cars 9% higher DUI stops.
09
German Autobahn data: Red sports 15% more speed traps.
10
Italian Carabinieri 2020: Red 13.5% violations share.
Interpretation
Violation Statistics Interpretation
The data suggests red cars may be more visible to the law than they are to other drivers, leading to a statistically scarlet letter on their driving records.
Reference
Cite This Report
This report is designed to be cited. We maintain stable URLs and versioned verification dates. Copy the format appropriate for your publication below.
APA
Timothy Grant. (2026, February 27). Red Car Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/red-car-statistics
MLA
Timothy Grant. "Red Car Statistics." Gitnux, 27 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/red-car-statistics.
Chicago
Timothy Grant. 2026. "Red Car Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/red-car-statistics.
Sources & references
80 datasets cited across this report · attribution is report-level