As it's commonly accepted the best way to stay safe is to avoid an accident in the first place does anyone know if there are certain cars (or even colours) of cars which are less prone to being involved in accidents. This may be down to type of owners, or ESP, safety systems etc.

Anyone know if there are any stats available? Presumably the insurance companies use these for grouping but wondered more generally if there was any patterns.

There are a few things dotted about but nothing in one place. A bit of creative googling will probably get you what you want.

i.e.

A recent study conducted by researchers at the University of Auckland, New Zealand indicates that there may be a link between car color and serious injuries as a result of car accidents. Their findings were published in the The British Medical Journal in December 2003.

The study involved accidents in New Zealand between 1998 and 1999. According to their findings, drivers of brown cars had the highest risk of sustaining serious injuries caused by auto accidents. Black and green cars also had elevated risks.

Which are the safest cars? Drivers of silver-colored cars, according to the report, have a 50% less chance of being involved in an injury-causing accident than do drivers of white cars! While the results are surprising, more studies need to be performed before we all rush out and repaint or replace our vehicles.

The scientists did not explain why there was such a disparity in accident rates. Perhaps lighter colored cars are more visible, or perhaps the people who choose such cars are a self-selecting group of safe drivers.

And the best way to avoid accidents?

Driver training. Then it doesn't matter what car you're in, you'll have a lower chance of being in an accident.