Noticeable car colour

[Marijn]

In the interests of safety, which is the most noticeable car colour? I think I read somewhere that silver is the least noticeable colour. Could anyone please provide me with a link to the answer. : )

[cazzz1975]

not sure about the statistics but I used to own a silver car and since I have bought a new one everyone remarks on the fact that its green.

not in a complementary way either, more like a ...ohh its errr...green....

so it is noticable, its the first thing they say!

[TWR]

Hi, For a person or persons to say that they have not seen a car or cars that is approx 10ft in lenghth, 7ft wide, the person cannot be paying much attention to the road, I used to drive HGVs it was the same answer then, I did not see him if thats the case the person driving the car / lorry or whatever it is should not be on the road, I have just had a Medical for HGVs a full Examination / Eye test the lot, this should be the case of the ordinary motorist, If more people were tested the road would be a safer place.

[DC_FC]

How is silver not noticeable,

[SeaJayPea]

I read a study many years ago which said that yellow cars stand out better than anything else. It also said that silver was least visible. I'm pretty certtain that they were talking about in conditions of poor visibility.
I know that when driving lorries in wet weather silver cars with no headlights on are virtually invisible in mirrors that are on the outside of the vehicle and consequently soaking wet and covered in road muck.

[taichiperson]

Red is good. We had our worst "I didn't see you" moment in a black car. Lucky to be in one piece. I agree on the silver cars, they just blend into the road. Here is an interesting article - they say here that there is fairly little research into the subject.
http://www.aaafoundation.org/pdf/CarColorAndSa fety.pdf

[markysngc]

The two worst for spotting are either silver in dull overcast weather and green on country roads (blends into hedges etc)

The best colours are anything that is unlikely to ever be seen against a background of a similar colour, such as red or yellow.

However as TWR says the "i didn't see you" excuse is more a reflection on the drivers lack of observation than the colour of the car

[Marijn]

Thank you taichiperson and everyone who answered. It looks like lime yellow is the most noticeable then.
As the article said, you can't tell which is the most noticeable colour by investigating the amount of any particular colour car involved in accidents as there are so many reasons why they may have been involved in accidents.
It would be good if they had statistics on car accidents where the only reason was that the car wasn't noticed.
What colour do you find the most and least noticeable?
I personally notice orange cars more, and black or dark grey cars the least.

[Brooksy]

On a similar note, my uncle used to (as recommended by the Highway Code) wear something white at night as a pedestrian. He got run over by a snowplough. ;o)

[TWR]

Just a quick one, Since Volvo started the side lights on as soon as the ING Key was put in place, There has been less accidents in their county, (Figures to prove)

[Marijn]

Thank you all for your answers. I would like an orange car, but that will be hard to find, if not, a yellow one.