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If you love a good cherry red hot rod, you probably already know that red cars get pulled over more often than other colors. But is that actually true?
The idea that red cars are cop-magnets is a popular one and something of an urban legend in a lot of places. There are even people who refuse to drive a red car for exactly that reason.
After all, getting pulled over is no fun, and no one wants to pay more traffic tickets than they absolutely have to. So, do red cars get pulled over more often?
We have good news, though! Red cars are only pulled over the second-most often of any car color. White cars steal the number one spot there.
So, what does that mean for drivers? Should you run out and get a bright red car for your next vehicle?
Are Red Cars Pulled Over More Often Than Other Color Vehicles?
One of the main reasons people think red cars get pulled over more often than other colors is that they’re brighter and often easier to see than other vehicles. The truth, though, is it doesn’t seem to make a big difference how visible your car is when it comes to police attention.
Red isn’t necessarily the most common color for vehicles, white has been the most popular option for the last decade, but they do account for a large percentage of the vehicles pulled over. That means that red cars are probably pulled over a little more often than other colors, but not for the reasons you think.
Here’s why cars really get pulled over and how car color, make, and model interact with getting tickets.
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Does Color Really Matter?
Statistically, the color of vehicles that are pulled over can tell us a lot of interesting things, but not whether or not the color is the reason the car got pulled over. Instead, these statistics can tell us which colors are more common and even a little bit about the behavior of drivers who choose different colors.
So, it’s true that people who drive red vehicles might get pulled over more often, but their behavior is a much bigger factor than the color of the vehicle itself.
The other big factor is how common a color is. If there are an exceptionally large number of vehicles in any one color, that color of the vehicle will probably get pulled over more than any other.
Why Do Red Cars Get Pulled Over More Often?
Even though red cars aren’t the most common car to get pulled over, when it comes to why do red cars get pulled over more often, there are a few reasons.
For one thing, red cars get pulled over more often because of the kind of drivers who tend to get red vehicles. The kind of vehicles that are painted red may also have a part to play. While most models have a red color option, sports vehicles and muscle cars tend to be more popular in those colors.
That means that the fastest cars and the cars that make speeding most tempting may be red slightly more often than other vehicles. That in and of itself explains some of why red cars seem to get pulled over more often.
Of course, if you’re still wondering why do red cars get pulled over more often, there are a few other reasons too.
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Why Did I Get Pulled Over? What Police Look For
Getting pulled over is almost always a sign that something is wrong. It could be that you were driving in a way that worried an officer or broke the law, or it could be something as simple as not having your vehicle’s registration stickers on the license plates or having a tail-light out.
There are a few things most officers look for when they’re deciding which vehicles to pull over and which ones to let pass.
The most common reason a police officer will pull over a vehicle is if they’re speeding or otherwise disobeying traffic laws.
But the most important part isn’t actually your speed; it’s whether you’re moving with the flow of traffic. That’s important because there are a lot of times when traffic might actually be moving faster than the speed limit. Not speeding in those situations can be just as risky or riskier than speeding.
They also look for signs of distracted driving, like swerving, not holding a straight line, crossing lanes, or crowding other vehicles. A lot of those driving behaviors can also be related to road rage, which is another reason a police offer might decide to pull over a vehicle.
Distracted driving can include things like looking at your phone, talking on the phone (even hands-free!), eating, looking at a map, or basically anything that takes your eyes off the road.
These kinds of behaviors, especially combined with risky driving or in adverse conditions, are likely to attract police attention.
The last thing police look for, in terms of behavior in a vehicle, are signs that the driver is intoxicated. That means that they might look for the silhouette of drug paraphernalia or bottles that don’t look like soda or water or watching the way you drive to see if you seem sober.
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Final Thoughts: Do Red Cars Get Pulled Over More Often?
The truth is that red cars might get pulled over slightly more often than other cars, but it has nothing to do with the color. The behaviors that are likely to get you pulled over in a red car are equally likely to get you pulled over in a white car or a grey one.
The key is making sure you’re driving responsibly, no matter what kind of vehicle you’re driving. Even speedsters need to obey traffic laws when they’re on public roadways. You also need to pay attention to the road, adjust to road conditions, and follow the flow of traffic.
As long as you’re doing that, you probably don’t need to worry about whether you’re driving a red car or not. The police are looking for people who are a danger to themselves or others when they’re pulling people over or who are obeying traffic laws. They’re not looking for people who have a cherry red vehicle that caught their attention with its bright color.
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