A study in Singapore has found that riding a yellow taxi instead of a blue taxi reduces the risk of an accident. Researchers from the National University of Singapore analyzed detailed taxi, driver and accident data from two fleets of yellow taxi and blue taxis in the country over a span of 36 months.

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The researchers suggest that yellow taxis have fewer accidents than blue taxis. This is apparently due to the higher visibility of yellow that makes it easier for drivers to avoid getting into accidents with them, leading to a lower accident rate. The study, which was published in the scientific journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, used speed monitoring data to determine other causes of accidents including the probability that safe drivers prefer yellow cars.

"Although there is anecdotal evidence on higher accident rates for dark-coloured vehicles, few studies have empirically established a strong causal link between color and accident risk," said Professor Ho Teck Hua of the National University of Singapore, who led the research. The findings suggest that color visibility plays a major role in determining the colors to be used for public transportation. Changing the color of taxis to yellow could potentially save lives and reduce economic losses, according to the researchers.

As part of the study, researchers analyzed data from the largest taxi company in Singapore and reviewed data from 4,175 yellow taxis and 12,525 blue taxis. They found that yellow taxis have 6.1 fewer accidents per 1,000 blue taxis per month. 

BBC News reported that the researchers further found that by switching to yellow taxis, ComfortDelgro could save $1.42 million in repair bills and lost revenue. "The findings are very interesting and we will certainly take a closer look at it," a spokesperson for ComfortDelgro told reporters.

This is not the first study to propose a link between vehicle color and accident rates. A 2003 study in New Zealand concluded that silver cars have a 50 percent higher accident rates than white cars. The study was supported by researchers in Spain who found that cars in light colors were associated with a slightly lower risk of being passively involved in a collision.