Fewer accidents on Friday the 13th

Study: Friday the 13th is statistically safer than other Fridays

12/01/2012

„Careful, tomorrow is Friday the thirteenth“ Many people today hear at work, at home or with friends. But why does superstition persist so stubbornly and how did it come about? For all fans of mysticism: From a purely statistical point of view, there are even fewer accidents on Friday than on other days. The superstition helps to be more attentive in the traffic.

No more dangerous than on other Fridays
According to a study by the Techniker Krankenkasse (TK), a Friday that falls on the 13th of the month is not healthier than other days. Statistician of the box office evaluated the accident statistics of the last three years and found that even fewer accidents are registered on these days, than on other Fridays. „Throughout Germany, an average of 1,430 accidents happen on Friday 13th“, said spokeswoman Nicole Battenfeld. Statistically, that's six less than on other Fridays.
Because many people actually still believe that the full moon has an impact on their sleep patterns, or on friday the 13th, too many bad things happen, some are especially attentive on such days. Therefore, according to the spokeswoman, could be explained why the accident statistics on such Fridays is less. „Many are especially careful“.

Many people are extra careful
Anyone who succumbs to superstition or is at least not sure whether the faith is not true, probably dares not out of the house, prefer to travel by train instead of the car or is simply very prudent. Many associate superstition with a day of mishaps, stalemates and bankruptcies. "Presumably, many people on Friday, the 13th, the attention is so elevated that any deviation from normal burns in the memory," said Battenfeld. This explains why so few accidents are counted.

Superstition comes from Christianity
Researchers are still not quite sure where the mistaken belief comes from. Although the 13 can also be a lucky number, because even in the lottery, the number is played out as often as others, many people fear the supposedly dangerous combination with the last working day of the week. Experts assume that the origin is based in Christianity. Even in the Bible, Friday is described as a weekday negative. In the Old Testament, Adam and Eve ate the forbidden apple on Friday, opening the door to sin for sin. The crucifixion of Jesus also took place on a Friday (Good Friday). In addition to the Friday is also repeatedly called the number 13. When the disciples of Jesus sat together at the Last Supper, 13 were present at a table. The 13 disciples was the traitor of Judah. Nevertheless, superstition did not come into being until the 1950s, historians say.

But companies have become superstitious
Every year, there is at least one and no more than three times a Friday, the 13th. This year, the thirteenth of a month falls three times on a Friday: in January, April and July. This always happens when a leap year starts with a sunday or a regular year starts with a thursday. Then comes the Friday the 13th in February, March and November. That was the last time in 2009. Thus, the next unlucky year for superstitious will not come again until 2015. Because many companies do not want to scare their customers, they have already adjusted to the superstition. Thus, many guesthouses and hotels renounce the room number 13. Some hotel chains with buildings save even the entire 13th floor. Most airlines also know no 13th row on the plane. (Sb)

Also read:
Full moon does not cause insomnia

Picture: Birgit H.