Car crash claims 'higher for Friday 13th'

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Claims for accidents are considerably higher than average if the 13th falls on a Friday, a survey by insurance company Norwich Union found.

Analysis of the six Friday the 13ths which occurred between 2002 and 2006 shows that claims on this day were higher than the average - spookily by a factor of 13 per cent.

Claims for accidents are considerably higher than average if the 13th falls on a Friday, according to a survey

By contrast, whenever a 13th in that period did not fall on a Friday, claims were lower than average.

When the value of claims is assessed - rather than the number of claims - Friday the 13th was the second worst day of the month for the cost accidents behind the first day of the month.

The "safest" day to travel is the 26th of the month, which saw an eight per cent drop in the number of claims compared with an average day.

Norwich Union motor underwriting manager Nigel Bartram said: "Our analysis on dangerous days for driving has given some credence to people's superstitions regarding Friday the 13th."

He added: "Though it's difficult to say for certain why this is, one reason could be that people alter their driving behaviour in response to a perceived 'unlucky' day.

"In reality, changing driving behaviour in reaction to a perceived risk - as opposed to a real risk such as snow or ice - does not necessarily translate to safer driving.

"Therefore, by altering driving behaviour to change their luck, motorists may create a decidedly unlucky self-fulfilling prophecy."