Today is Friday the 13th, but not to worry: In all likelihood, you won’t die in a car crash, according to a study by the Automobile Club of Southern California.
There were 2.1 percent fewer traffic deaths in California on the 13 Friday the 13ths from 2002 to 2009 studied than comparable Fridays, with 141 people killed on the 13 Friday the 13ths studied and an average of 144 on the Friday the sixths and Friday the 20s.
This year has the maximum three Friday the 13ths. In addition to the ones today and next month, there will also be one in November. Every year has at least one Friday the 13th.
There are several theories about the origin of why the Friday the 13th brings bad luck.
One is that it combines Friday — associated with bad luck because it was the day Jesus was crucified — and 13 an unlucky number because it is considered irregular as it is one more than 12, which is considered the number of completeness because of the 12 months of the year, the 12 hours of the clock, the 12 tribes of Israel and 12 Apostles of Jesus.
