Colour. What does it say about moods and feeling? Studies surrounding the psychology and symbolism of colour reveal some interesting associations. Red is commonly associated with danger, passion, energy and adventure. Pink favours girls and love. Orange symbolises warmth. Yellow is commonly associated with happiness but also hazards. Blue is for boys and last but not least, green symbolises natural and calming influences.

Colours and their meanings can also be influenced by the situation you are in i.e. if you are driving, red, amber and green mean ‘stop, get ready and go’. Signs with red trim mean ‘beware’ of something. Yellow paint signals where you can park and where you can’t.

But what does the colour of your car say about you? Is there such a thing as a safe car colour? Read on and find out.

Safe colours

Is there such a thing as a safe car colour?

Yes, silver. ‘Silver cars are much less likely to be involved in a serious crash than cars of any other colour’. This information is based on a report published by the University of Auckland, New Zealand and referenced in the New Scientist in 2003. The report studied 1,000 cars and drew the following conclusions:

• White, yellow, grey, red and blue cars carried an equal risk of crash and injury

• People travelling in black, brown or green cars were twice as likely to suffer a crash with serious injury

While this information might influence people’s colour choice when buying a car, Roger Vincent at the UK Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) said that most people choose a colour that is fashionable, popular or both.

Car Colour – what does it reveal about you?

Have you ever wondered what the colour of your car says about you? Wonder no more because thanks to a survey conducted by psychologists Dr Peter Collett and Dr Peter Marsh at Oxford University in 1999 for Daewoo, you can find out if you’re passionate, down-to-earth, an attention- seeker or intimidating. Here’s what their research revealed:

Car colour signifies…

Red - Life, lust and passion (apparently Jeremy Clarkson drives a red car)!

Silver - Naked ambition

Beige - Wholesome, traditional and restful values

Light green - Bright, youthful personalities who want to live life to the full

Dark green - Optimistic characters

Light blue - Introverted types

Yellow and gold - Attention seekers with infantile personalities

Brown - Down-to-earth people who don’t care about fashion

Black - People who like to intimidate others and who are successful

According to car sales reports, the most common car colours on the road are silver, blue, black and grey. If you are thinking about the resale value or if you are in the market for an investment car, these colours could be easier to resell. There is another advantage of buying a car in a less showy or vibrant colour, you are less likely to catch the attention of car thieves.

It is up to you if you decide to take this car colour business seriously. One thing you can be sure it won’t change, is your car insurance premium.

Colour safety

Visibility is where colour does make a different on the road. For example:

• Red, black, dark blue, and grey cars are less visible at night

• White cars are not easily visible in snowy conditions

Whether you drive a yellow, pink, green or blue car or one that is every colour of the rainbow, they best way to be safe on the road is to drive safely and courteously.

Whatever colour car you drive, make sure you have adequate car insurance. Most car insurance companies offer quick and easy car insurance quotes online. For a car insurance quote and more information about the types of car insurance available from Direct Line, visit

http://www.directline.com/motor/welcome.htm.