Overview
- Thomas W. Lawson’s 1907 novel and centuries-old Christian associations popularized the idea of Friday the 13th as an unlucky day in Western culture.
- ADAC and Zurich Gruppe analyses show no significant increase in traffic accidents on Fridays falling on the 13th, with some data indicating marginally fewer serious collisions.
- Kayak data reveal an 11% decline in searches for flights departing June 13, while Airhelp figures show a 35% delay rate on recent Friday the 13th dates, compared with 33% on other Fridays.
- Perceptions vary worldwide: Japan embraces 13 as a lucky number, Italy treats Friday the 17th as unlucky, and some Spanish and Greek traditions fear Tuesday the 13th.
- Paraskavedekatriaphobia, the fear of Friday the 13th, persists among about 11% of Germans and continues to shape travel choices and everyday behaviour.