What Color Car Gets the Most Speeding Tickets? Top 7 Revealed (2025) 🚦


Video: Your Email: Do red cars get more tickets? You’ll be surprised.








Ever wondered if your car’s color could make you a magnet for speeding tickets? You’re not alone! The myth that red cars are the ultimate ā€œticket magnetsā€ has been cruising around for decades, but is it really true? Spoiler alert: the answer might surprise you. In fact, the most ticketed car color isn’t red at all — it’s the color you’d least suspect. But that’s just the tip of the iceberg.

In this deep dive, we’ll unravel the truth behind car colors and speeding tickets, bust some popular myths, and reveal how your car’s make, model, and your driving habits play a much bigger role in whether you get pulled over. Plus, we’ll share expert tips on how to avoid tickets, keep your insurance premiums low, and even how rebuilt title cars could save you money without sacrificing safety. Buckle up — it’s going to be an eye-opening ride!


Key Takeaways

  • White cars get the most speeding tickets, not red — but that’s mostly because white is the most popular car color on the road.
  • Make and model matter far more than color; sporty cars like the Subaru WRX or Kia Stinger attract more tickets due to driver behavior and reputation.
  • Driving behavior is king: speeding, reckless driving, and distractions are what really get you pulled over.
  • Insurance rates aren’t affected by car color, but tickets definitely increase your premiums.
  • Adding teen drivers to your policy? Choose safe, low-performance cars and consider telematics programs to keep premiums manageable.
  • Rebuilt title cars can be a smart financial choice but require careful inspection and may have insurance limitations.

šŸ‘‰ Shop Popular Models Mentioned:


Table of Contents


Here is the main body of the article, crafted by the expert team at Car Brandsā„¢.


āš”ļø Quick Tips and Facts

In a hurry? Here’s the lowdown on car colors and speeding tickets straight from the Car Brandsā„¢ garage.

  • The Red Car Myth: āŒ It’s a classic urban legend. Red cars are not the most ticketed.
  • The Real Culprit: āšŖļø White cars actually receive the most speeding tickets. Why? It’s a numbers game—white has been the most popular car color for over a decade, so there are simply more of them on the road.
  • The Top Offenders (Colors): After white, the most ticketed colors are red, grey, and silver.
  • Model Over Color: The make and model of your car are far more significant than its color. A sporty Subaru WRX is more likely to get a second look from law enforcement than a family-friendly Buick Encore, regardless of paint job.
  • Driver Behavior is King: šŸ‘‘ Ultimately, how you drive is the #1 factor. Speeding, weaving through traffic, and distracted driving are what really attract police attention.
  • Insurance Impact: Your car’s color does not affect your insurance rates, but the tickets you get certainly will!

šŸš—šŸ’Ø Unpacking the Urban Legend: Car Color and Speeding Tickets

ā€œWatch out, you’ll be a ticket magnet in that thing!ā€ We’ve all heard it from a well-meaning friend or parent when eyeing a fire-engine-red sports car. The belief that red cars are rolling targets for police is one of the most enduring myths in the automotive world. But is there any truth to it? Does painting your ride a racy color automatically put you on law enforcement’s radar? Here at Car Brandsā„¢, we’ve spent countless hours on the road and digging through data, and we’re here to set the record straight. While color plays a role in perception, the real story is far more about the car itself and, more importantly, the person behind the wheel. In fact, you might be surprised to learn that the model of your car is a much bigger factor, a topic we dive deep into in our guide on What Model Car Gets Pulled Over the Most? Top 10 Revealed (2025) šŸš“.

Let’s pop the hood on this myth and see what’s really going on.

šŸŽØ The Truth About Car Color and Speeding Tickets: Is Red Really a Target?

The short answer? No. The long answer is a bit more nuanced and fascinating. It’s a tale of statistics, psychology, and simple probability. While a screaming yellow Lamborghini HuracĆ”n might feel more conspicuous than a beige Toyota Camry, the data tells a different story.

šŸ”“ Red Cars: Fact vs. Fiction

Let’s tackle the big one first. Red is aggressive, passionate, and fast—all things we associate with speeding. This psychological association is powerful, but it doesn’t hold up in traffic court. While red cars do come in second place for tickets, they are far from the top spot. As Pronto Insurance notes, this is an ā€œurban legendā€ and ā€œnot accurate!ā€ The reason they even rank second is likely due to confirmation bias; when you see a red car pulled over, it confirms the myth in your mind, and you remember it. You probably don’t even notice the dozens of white or grey cars pulled over the same week.

āšŖļø White, Silver, and Grey: The Blending Effect

So, who’s the real winner (or loser) in the speeding ticket lottery? Drumroll, please… it’s white.

That’s right, the color you associate with fleet vehicles and sensible choices is the most ticketed color on the road. American Auto Insurance confirms this, stating, ā€œThe vehicle color that gets pulled over more than any other color is actually white.ā€

But don’t rush to trade in your pearl-white SUV just yet. This isn’t because police have a vendetta against vanilla-colored vehicles. It’s simple statistics. According to paint manufacturer PPG Industries, white has been the most popular car color globally for years, accounting for a massive chunk of all cars on the road. More white cars mean, statistically, more white cars will be caught speeding. Grey and silver follow a similar pattern, being incredibly popular choices that fill our highways.

Car Color Ticket Rank Popularity Rank The Car Brandsā„¢ Takeaway
White 1st 1st The sheer volume of white cars on the road makes them statistically the most likely to be ticketed.
Red 2nd ~5th Ranks high due to confirmation bias and the types of cars often painted red (sports cars).
Grey 3rd 2nd/3rd Another extremely popular color. Like white, its high ticket rate is a numbers game.
Silver 4th 2nd/3rd Often grouped with grey, its popularity ensures it’s frequently seen by law enforcement.
Blue Lower 4th A rising star in popularity, but not yet at the volume of neutral tones to top the ticket charts.
Black Lower 2nd/3rd Despite its popularity, it doesn’t seem to attract as many tickets. Perhaps it’s harder to get an accurate laser reading on? The jury is still out.

āš«ļø Black and Darker Hues: Do They Stand Out?

You’d think a sleek, black car would be a prime target, especially at night. It’s the classic ā€œbad guyā€ car, right? Interestingly, black cars don’t top the ticket charts. While they are one of the most popular colors, they seem to fly under the radar more than their lighter counterparts. Some theories suggest that darker colors can be slightly harder for police radar and laser (LIDAR) guns to get a clean reading on from a distance, but this is largely anecdotal. The more likely reason is that they simply don’t stand out during the day as much as a bright white or red car against the grey asphalt.

🌈 Other Colors: Do They Even Register?

What about the greens, yellows, oranges, and purples? While a lime green Dodge Challenger is certainly an attention-grabber, these colors are so rare that they don’t even make a statistical dent in the data. You’re more likely to be noticed, but with so few on the road, they aren’t ticketed in high numbers.

šŸŽļø Does Your Ride’s Reputation Precede It? Make, Model, and Speeding Perceptions

Okay, so we’ve established that painting your Honda Civic red won’t doom you. But what if your car is a Subaru WRX? Now we’re talking. This is where the real bias comes into play. As one study highlighted by American Auto Insurance found, the WRX is the most-ticketed model in the nation. It’s not the color; it’s the car’s reputation, performance capabilities, and the demographic it attracts. This is a key area we explore in our Car Brand Comparisons.

šŸš€ Performance Cars vs. Family Sedans

Think about it from an officer’s perspective. You see two cars going 15 mph over the limit. One is a KIA Stinger, a performance-oriented sport sedan. The other is a Chrysler Pacifica minivan. Which driver is more likely to be driving aggressively on purpose, and which might have just been distracted for a moment?

While both are breaking the law, the driver of the performance car fits a certain profile. Insurers and law enforcement know this. Models like the Scion FR-S (now the Toyota GR86), Volkswagen GTI, and Hyundai Genesis Coupe consistently rank among the most ticketed vehicles. They are designed to be driven enthusiastically, and their owners often oblige.

šŸš— Modded Cars and Aftermarket Aesthetics

It’s not just what the factory built; it’s what you’ve done to it since. A loud exhaust, oversized spoiler, dark window tint, or ā€œstancedā€ suspension are like a giant, flashing sign that says, ā€œI am interested in performance, and I might not always follow the rules.ā€ These modifications scream for attention—and they get it. While a modified car isn’t automatically illegal, it signals a certain type of car culture that can lead to increased scrutiny from police.

🚦 Beyond Color: The Real Factors That Attract a Police Officer’s Attention

If it’s not the color, and only partially the model, what really gets you pulled over? It all boils down to a handful of key factors that have nothing to do with your car’s paint code.

šŸ›£ļø 1. Driving Behavior: The Ultimate Ticket Magnet

This is the big one. You could be driving a hot pink Smart car, but if you’re weaving through traffic, tailgating, and flying past everyone else, you’re getting the ticket. Police are trained to spot erratic and dangerous driving. As American Auto Insurance puts it, ā€œBy far, the most prominent infraction police officers look for is speedingā€¦ā€ It’s the primary cause of citations and a major focus of traffic enforcement for safety reasons.

🚨 2. Vehicle Condition and Appearance

A broken taillight, a heavily cracked windshield, or expired registration tags are what officers call ā€œprobable cause.ā€ These are legitimate, observable violations that give an officer a reason to pull you over. Once they have you stopped, they can then check your speed or notice other infractions. It’s the ā€œfoot in the doorā€ for a traffic stop. Keeping your car in good working order is a simple way to avoid unwanted attention.

ā° 3. Time of Day and Location Hotspots

Are you speeding at 2 PM on a Tuesday or 2 AM on a Saturday? Driving late at night, especially near bars and entertainment districts, will put you under a much stronger microscope. Police also know which stretches of road are common for speeding (long, straight highways) or running red lights (busy intersections) and will patrol them accordingly.

šŸ‘¤ 4. Driver Demographics and Perceived Risk

Statistics don’t lie, and they show that certain groups take more risks. Data consistently shows that younger drivers, particularly males between 16 and 25, receive a disproportionate number of speeding tickets. This isn’t necessarily profiling; it’s a reflection of statistical risk. A study in Minnesota found this age group accounted for 33% of speeding tickets while being only 13% of the population.

šŸ’” 5. Visibility and Contrast on the Road

Here is where color plays its only real, practical role. A bright color like white, yellow, or red is simply easier to see against the dark asphalt or green foliage at the side of the road. It has higher contrast. This makes it easier for an officer to spot you in a pack of cars and easier to target with a radar or laser gun. Conversely, a grey or silver car might blend in on an overcast day, making it slightly harder to single out.

šŸ‘€ What Police Officers Actually Look For: Behaviors That Get You Pulled Over

Let’s get inside the mind of a traffic cop for a moment. They’re not scanning the horizon for a specific Pantone shade. They’re looking for behaviors that endanger the public. Here’s what’s on their checklist:

šŸ’Ø Excessive Speeding and Reckless Driving

There’s a difference between going 5 mph over the limit with the flow of traffic and rocketing past everyone at 20+ mph over. The ā€œsuper speederā€ is always the top priority. This includes aggressive lane changes, tailgating, and generally treating the highway like your personal racetrack.

šŸ“± Distracted Driving and Erratic Lane Changes

Weaving within your lane is a massive red flag. It tells an officer you’re either on your phone, intoxicated, or otherwise not in control of your vehicle. According to the NHTSA, distracted driving is a deadly epidemic, and police are cracking down on it hard.

šŸ›‘ Failure to Obey Traffic Laws (Stop Signs, Signals, etc.)

Running a stop sign or a red light is a blatant violation that’s easy to spot and proves a disregard for basic traffic safety. These are the kinds of infractions that lead to the most dangerous types of collisions, so enforcement is high.

🚫 Expired Tags, Tinted Windows, and Other Minor Infractions

These are the low-hanging fruit. An expired tag is an undeniable violation. Window tint that’s darker than the legal limit is an easy stop. A burned-out headlight gives an officer a reason to chat with you. Don’t give them an easy reason!

šŸ›”ļø The Aftermath: How Speeding Tickets Impact Your Insurance and What to Do About It

So you got a ticket. The fine is just the beginning of the financial pain. The real hit comes from your insurance company.

šŸ“ˆ Understanding Insurance Premium Hikes

A speeding ticket tells your insurer that you are a higher-risk driver. More risk equals higher premiums. A single minor speeding ticket can raise your rates by 20-30% for three to five years. Multiple tickets, or a major one (like 30+ mph over the limit), can cause your rates to double or even lead to your policy being non-renewed. It’s crucial to check the latest Auto Industry News to understand how insurers are adjusting their risk models.

If you rack up enough tickets or commit a serious violation (like a DUI or reckless driving), the state may require you to file for SR-22 insurance. An SR-22 isn’t actually insurance; it’s a certificate your insurer files with the state to prove you have the required liability coverage. It labels you as a high-risk driver and makes finding affordable insurance much more difficult, but companies like American Auto Insurance specialize in this area.

šŸ“‰ Tips for Lowering Your Insurance After a Ticket

All is not lost! If you get a ticket, you have options:

  • Contest the Ticket: If you believe you were wrongly cited, you can fight it in court.
  • Traffic School: Many jurisdictions allow you to take a defensive driving course to have the ticket dismissed or prevent the points from going on your record.
  • šŸ‘‰ Shop Around: Different insurers penalize tickets differently. It’s the perfect time to get new quotes.
  • Ask for Discounts: Make sure you’re getting all available discounts (good student, bundling, etc.).

šŸ‘Øā€šŸ‘©ā€šŸ‘§ā€šŸ‘¦ Family Matters: Adding New Drivers and Managing Risk on Your Policy

The conversation about speeding takes on a whole new level of seriousness when you add a young driver to your policy. Their inexperience, combined with a statistical tendency to speed, is a recipe for high insurance premiums and sleepless nights for parents.

šŸš—šŸ’Ø Teen Drivers and Speeding: A Risky Combination?

Absolutely. āœ… According to the CDC, motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for U.S. teens. Speeding is a primary factor in a large percentage of these fatal crashes. They lack the experience to properly judge speed, stopping distances, and the handling limits of their vehicle.

šŸ’² Insurance Implications for Young Drivers

Adding a teen to your policy can be a shock to the system, often doubling your premium or more. A speeding ticket on their record can make an already expensive situation astronomical. This is where the type of car they drive becomes incredibly important. Putting them in a high-risk model like a Mustang or Camaro is financial suicide. A safe, reliable, and ā€œboringā€ car is the smart play.

āœ… Strategies for Safe Driving and Lower Premiums

  • Lead by Example: Your teen learns from watching you. Obey the speed limit.
  • Enroll in Programs: Many insurers offer ā€œGood Studentā€ discounts and discounts for completing approved driver safety courses.
  • Use Monitoring Tech: Consider telematics programs (like Progressive’s Snapshot or State Farm’s Drive Safe & Save) that monitor driving habits and can lead to discounts for safe behavior.
  • Choose the Right Car: Pick a vehicle with high safety ratings and low performance. Check out our Car Brand Lists for ideas on the safest cars for teens.

šŸ’° Smart Car Choices: Exploring Rebuilt Titles and Their Impact on Your Wallet (and Perceived Risk)

When looking for a car, especially a first car for a teen or a second family vehicle, you might come across some amazing deals on cars with ā€œrebuiltā€ titles. This can be a way to save a lot of money, but you need to know exactly what you’re getting into.

šŸ” What is a Rebuilt Title Car?

A rebuilt title is issued to a vehicle that was previously declared a total loss by an insurance company and given a ā€œsalvageā€ title. This could be due to a major accident, flood, or theft. After being professionally repaired and passing a state inspection, it’s given a ā€œrebuiltā€ title.

šŸ‘ The Financial Upside: Savings on Purchase Price

The main benefit is cost. A car with a rebuilt title can often be purchased for 20-40% less than the same car with a clean title. For someone on a tight budget, this can make a newer, safer, or more desirable model accessible.

šŸ‘Ž Potential Downsides and Insurance Challenges

Here’s the catch.

  • Safety Concerns: Was the repair done correctly? Hidden frame damage can compromise the car’s structural integrity in a future crash. A thorough pre-purchase inspection by a trusted mechanic is non-negotiable.
  • Insurance Hurdles: Many major insurance companies will not offer full coverage (collision and comprehensive) on a rebuilt title car. Finding an insurer can be a challenge, and your options will be limited.
  • Resale Value: The car’s resale value will always be significantly lower than a clean-titled equivalent.

If you’re considering this route, it’s essential to do your homework.

šŸ‘‰ Shop for Inspected Used Cars on:

āš–ļø What to Do If You Get a Speeding Ticket: Your Rights and Options

The flashing lights appear in your rearview mirror. Your heart sinks. What now?

  1. Pull Over Safely: Signal, slow down, and pull over to the right side of the road as soon as it is safe to do so.
  2. Stay Calm and Courteous: Keep your hands on the steering wheel. Be polite. An officer’s discretion can be your best friend. Don’t argue about the ticket on the side of the road.
  3. Understand the Citation: Once you receive the ticket, read it carefully. Understand the violation, the fine, and the court date.
  4. Evaluate Your Options: You can simply pay the fine (which is an admission of guilt), or you can contest it in court. As mentioned earlier, look into options like traffic school to mitigate the damage to your driving record and insurance rates.

šŸ“± Tech on Board: How Modern Car Features and Apps Can Help (or Hurt) Your Driving Record

Modern cars are packed with technology that can be a double-edged sword.

  • The Helpers: Adaptive cruise control can automatically keep you at a set speed and distance from the car ahead. Speed limit sign recognition displays the current limit right on your dashboard, leaving no room for excuses. Apps like Waze provide real-time alerts for police presence, encouraging drivers to slow down.
  • The Hindrances: Complex infotainment systems can be a major source of distraction. The very existence of apps that alert you to police can encourage a ā€œcat and mouseā€ game rather than promoting genuinely safe driving habits. The quietness and smoothness of modern cars can also make it incredibly easy to be traveling much faster than you perceive.

🧠 The Psychology of Perception: Why We Believe Car Color Myths

So why does the ā€œred carā€ myth persist so strongly, even against all evidence? It comes down to a psychological quirk called confirmation bias.

  • What it is: Confirmation bias is our natural tendency to search for, interpret, favor, and recall information that confirms our preexisting beliefs.
  • How it works: You already believe red cars get more tickets. When you drive past a red Ferrari pulled over on the highway, your brain says, ā€œSee! I was right!ā€ You remember that event vividly. But you completely ignore or forget the four white work vans, two grey sedans, and one silver minivan you saw pulled over earlier that week because they don’t fit your narrative. The myth reinforces itself, even though it’s statistically false. The Institute for Transportation at Iowa State University rightly calls it an ā€œurban legend,ā€ noting that ā€œthere’s no hard data to suggest red cars get more tickets than any other.ā€

āœ… Our Expert Recommendations for Safe Driving and Avoiding Tickets

At the end of the day, avoiding a speeding ticket has very little to do with the color of your car and everything to do with the choices you make as a driver. Here is our team’s best advice:

  1. Drive the Car, Not the Stereotype: Forget the color. Forget the model’s reputation. Drive responsibly and defensively at all times.
  2. Stay with the Flow: The safest place to be is generally with the flow of traffic. If you’re the fastest car on the road, you’re the one who stands out.
  3. Know Your Vehicle: Keep your car in excellent mechanical condition. Fix broken lights and replace worn tires. Make sure your registration is current.
  4. Eliminate Distractions: Put the phone away. Set your navigation and music before you start driving.
  5. Be Situationally Aware: Pay attention to your surroundings, including posted speed limits and potential traffic enforcement zones.
  6. Choose Your Car Wisely: If you (or your teen driver) have a heavy foot, maybe a high-horsepower sports car isn’t the best choice. Consider the vehicle’s purpose and the driver’s maturity level. Check out our Car Brand Histories to understand the philosophy behind different automakers.

šŸ Conclusion: Drive Smart, Not Just Colorful

So, what color car gets the most speeding tickets? The answer might surprise you: white cars top the list, followed by red, grey, and silver. But—and this is a big but—the color itself is not the culprit. It’s simply a numbers game; white is the most popular car color globally, so naturally, more white cars get pulled over. The real factors that determine whether you get a speeding ticket are your driving behavior, the make and model of your vehicle, and even your demographics.

The myth that red cars are speeding magnets is just that—a myth. While red cars do get pulled over frequently, it’s because they often belong to sporty models that attract drivers who like to push the limits, not because of the paint job itself.

Our expert team at Car Brandsā„¢ recommends focusing on safe driving habits and choosing a car that fits your lifestyle and driving style rather than worrying about color. Whether you’re eyeing a flashy red Subaru WRX or a practical white Toyota Camry, remember: it’s the driver, not the color, who gets the ticket.

So next time you’re tempted to pick a car color based on superstition, remember: drive smart, stay aware, and keep your eyes on the road—not just the paint job.


šŸ‘‰ Shop Popular Models Mentioned:


ā“ FAQ: Your Burning Questions Answered

What are the most common car colors associated with reckless driving?

While no car color inherently causes reckless driving, white, red, grey, and silver cars are most commonly ticketed—but this is largely due to their popularity on the road rather than any behavioral link. The make and model and the driver’s habits are far better indicators of reckless driving than color.

Do certain car colors attract more attention from law enforcement?

Bright colors like white and red are more visible and thus easier for police to spot, especially in daylight. However, law enforcement focuses on driving behavior and vehicle type rather than color alone. Darker colors like black or grey may blend in more but do not guarantee invisibility.

Which color car is most likely to be pulled over by the police?

Statistically, white cars are pulled over most often, followed by red, grey, and silver. This correlates with their prevalence on the road rather than any targeted enforcement based on color.

Are red cars more prone to receiving speeding tickets than other colors?

No. The perception that red cars get more speeding tickets is an urban legend. Red cars rank second in ticket frequency, but this is due to the types of drivers and models that tend to be painted red, not the color itself.

Do car insurance rates vary based on the color of the vehicle?

No. Insurance companies do not consider car color when setting premiums. Factors like make and model, driving record, age, and location have a much greater impact on insurance costs.

Can the color of a car affect its visibility on the road and impact safety?

Yes. Colors like white, yellow, and bright hues are more visible in most conditions, potentially reducing accident risk. Dark colors like black can be harder to see at night or in poor weather, but safe driving practices are the most important safety factor.

Are there any statistics that prove a correlation between car color and driver behavior?

No direct causal link exists. Studies show that driver behavior, vehicle type, and demographics are the primary factors influencing speeding and tickets. Color correlates mostly due to popularity and visibility, not behavior.

How does the make and model of a car influence the likelihood of getting a speeding ticket?

Certain models, especially performance-oriented cars like the Subaru WRX, Hyundai Genesis Coupe, and Volkswagen GTI, attract more tickets because they are often driven by younger or more aggressive drivers. Family sedans and SUVs tend to receive fewer tickets.

What should I do if I receive a speeding ticket to minimize insurance impact?

Consider traffic school or defensive driving courses to reduce points on your record, shop around for insurance quotes, and maintain a clean driving record moving forward. Contesting unjust tickets in court is also an option.



Drive safe, stay smart, and remember: the color of your car is just the paint—your choices behind the wheel paint the real picture! šŸš—šŸ’Ø

Jacob
Jacob

Jacob leads the editorial direction at Car Brandsā„¢, focusing on evidence-based comparisons, reliability trends, EV tech, and market share insights. His team’s aim is simple: accurate, up-to-date guidance that helps shoppers choose their automobile confidently—without paywalls or fluff. Jacob's early childhood interest in mechanics led him to take automotive classes in high school, and later become an engineer. Today he leads a team of automotive experts with years of in depth experience in a variety of areas.

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