DO RED CARS REALLY GET PULLED OVER MORE OFTEN IN MISSOURI?

You’ve probably heard the old saying: “Red cars get pulled over more than any other color.” It’s one of those driving myths that refuses to die — and for Missouri drivers, it raises a real question.

If you drive a red car, are you more likely to get a speeding ticket on I-70 or through Kansas City’s city streets? The truth is more complicated. There’s no legal bias against red cars — but perception, human behavior, and psychology all play a role in why this myth persists.

Before we break down this traffic myth, the experienced Kansas City traffic defense lawyers at Speeding Ticket KC want to help if you’ve been ticketed in the state of Missouri. Give us a call. We can help, no matter what color your vehicle is.

WHERE DOES THIS “RED CAR MYTH” COME FROM?

The “red car” rumor has been around for decades, partly because red is such a bold and visible color. Studies have shown that red cars account for a disproportionate share of high-performance models, like sports cars and convertibles — the kinds of vehicles that tend to get noticed by police anyway.

Red also grabs attention. In psychological studies, people associate the color red with speed, risk, and aggression — the same traits that police watch for on the road. So while color doesn’t affect radar guns or ticket data directly, it can affect how visible you are and how people perceive your driving.

What the Data Actually Says: Despite popular belief, research doesn’t show that red cars get more tickets. Insurance companies and traffic studies have tried to confirm the myth for years — and the numbers just don’t support it.

In one large study from the insurance industry:

• White, gray, and silver cars actually received the most tickets.
• Red cars ranked around 4th or 5th on the list.
• The type of car and driver behavior mattered far more than color.

Why? Because white and gray cars are the most common — especially among commuters and fleet vehicles. Police can only ticket what they see most often.

In Missouri, where practical colors dominate and pickup trucks outnumber Ferraris, the odds that color alone determines a stop are slim to none.

WHAT CAN GET YOU PULLED OVER BY POLICE IN MISSOURI?

Well, it’s not the color of your car, unless…you’re already doing something wrong and that red will only get you noticed quicker. But it is the act that gets you pulled over. Officers in Missouri are trained to look for driving behavior, not paint jobs.

The things that get their attention include:

• Speeding or aggressive acceleration
• Tailgating or weaving through lanes
• Running lights or stop signs
• Driving with expired tags or broken equipment
• Distracted or erratic driving

If you’re obeying the law, the color of your car won’t make a difference. But if you’re driving a bright red sports coupe at 15 mph over the limit on a quiet highway, that color may make you stand out — especially when every other car is white or gray.

WHY DRIVERS OF RED CARS MAY GET MORE ATTENTION ON THE ROAD

Even though police don’t target specific colors, drivers of red or flashy cars may drive differently. Sports car drivers, statistically, are more likely to accelerate faster, brake harder, and take more risks — behaviors that lead to more traffic stops, not the paint itself.

So while red cars don’t cause more tickets, they sometimes belong to drivers who get them.

WHAT TO DO IF YOU’VE BEEN TICKETED IN THE STATE OF MISSOURI

Whether you were driving a red Corvette or a silver minivan, the color of your vehicle won’t help you in court — but the quality of your defense will.

At Speeding Ticket KC, our experienced Kansas City traffic defense lawyers handle all types of speeding and moving violations. We can:

• Negotiate to reduce your ticket to a non-moving violation.
• Prevent points from hitting your driving record.
• Keep your insurance rates low.
• Handle court appearances so you don’t have to.

Even a simple speeding ticket can follow you for years, but most can be reduced or dismissed with the right legal help.

WHY YOU SHOULD NEVER JUST “PAY THE TICKET”

Paying your speeding ticket is the same as pleading guilty. That conviction stays on your record for three years and can increase your insurance premiums significantly — no matter what color car you drive.

Hiring the right Missouri traffic defense lawyer often costs less than the long-term financial impact of a single conviction.

CALL SPEEDING TICKET KC TODAY AND LET US HELP DEFEND YOUR RECORD

No, red cars don’t actually get pulled over more often — but they do get noticed more easily. The real issue is how you drive, not what you drive.

If you’ve been pulled over or ticketed in Kansas City or anywhere in Missouri, don’t rely on myths to protect you. Contact Speeding Ticket KC today. Our skilled Kansas City traffic defense lawyers will fight to protect your record, your license, and your peace of mind — whether your car is red, black, or bright neon green.

At Speeding Ticket KC, we make traffic defense simple. Our affordable Kansas City traffic lawyers have helped thousands of drivers across Missouri save money, protect their licenses, and avoid insurance hikes. We handle everything — from speeding and red-light tickets to reckless driving and license suspensions. With years of experience in Missouri traffic courts, we know how to get results fast. You shouldn’t have to take off work or stress over paperwork — we do the heavy lifting for you.

Contact Speeding Ticket KC today to speak with an experienced traffic ticket lawyer who can help you fight back and move forward.