Friday the 13th: Should You Be Afraid to Get Behind the Wheel?
12.03.2026 | from Touring Club Suisse (TCS)
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Image rights: TCS
12.03.2026, As a symbol of misfortune, Friday the 13th has long been a source of fear and unease. Instead of relying on superstition, TCS focuses on facts. An analysis of traffic accident data from the past five years shows whether Friday the 13th is truly more dangerous than other days, or if it's simply a myth.
In the West, the number 13 is often negatively connoted and associated with much superstition. Friday the 13th, in particular, is often seen as a day to avoid making important decisions, travelling, or starting new projects. But do traffic accident statistics confirm this reputation? TCS wanted to find out and compared accident figures from Fridays that fall on a 13th with other Fridays and the rest of the weekdays.
The myth is confirmed - at first glance
Between 2020 and 2024, eight Fridays fell on a 13th. On these eight days, a total of 1,285 traffic accidents were recorded, averaging 160.62 accidents per Friday the 13th. In the same period, the average number of accidents across all weekdays was 142.6. Thus, the number of accidents on a Friday the 13th is 12.64 percent higher. But does this actually mean that Friday the 13th brings more misfortune and that more accidents occur on these dates?
Friday is the most accident-prone day of the week
The overall analysis of accident data for the period 2020-2024 presents a more differentiated picture: Regardless of the date, Friday is the day of the week with the most accidents. According to ASTRA's accident statistics, an average of 8,606 accidents occur on Fridays compared to 7,443 accidents across all weekdays in the same period. This corresponds to 164.88 accidents per Friday, which is 15.62 percent more than the daily average of 142.60 accidents. It's also striking that the number of accidents on Fridays the 13th is lower than on other Fridays. Thus, it can be stated that there is no indication that the risk of accidents on Friday the 13th is higher.
Why the risk rises at the end of the week
That Friday is the accident-prone day of the week can be explained by several concrete factors. Towards the end of the day, traffic conditions become more complex as commuter traffic coincides with leisure travel and the weekend begins, leading to higher traffic density and more interactions between road users. Additionally, people are more tired towards the end of the week, reducing attention. Moreover, weekends are often associated with increased consumption of alcohol or other substances that can impair driving ability, especially increasing the risk of accidents in the evening. In this context, TCS reminds us of the importance of always driving attentively and responsibly, regardless of the date.
TCS Tips
- Do not drive if you are under the influence of certain medications, drugs, alcohol, or fatigue.
- Adjust your speed to match road conditions.
- Keep a sufficient distance from other vehicles.
- Always indicate your intentions with the turn signal.
- Stay calm and alert in traffic and anticipate the behaviour of other road users.
- Respect other road users.
- Be vigilant and ready to respond at any time when approaching children.
- Focus on driving.
- Plan enough time for your trips and take regular breaks.
Editor's note: Image rights belong to the respective publisher. Image rights: TCS
Conclusion of this article: « Friday the 13th: Should You Be Afraid to Get Behind the Wheel? »
Touring Club Suisse (TCS)
Since its founding in 1896 in Geneva, the Touring Club Schweiz has been in the service of the Swiss population. It is committed to safety, sustainability, and self-determination in personal mobility, both politically and socially. With over 2,000 employees and 23 regional sections, the largest mobility club in Switzerland offers its over 1.6 million members a wide range of services related to mobility, health, and leisure activities.
Every 70 seconds, assistance is provided. 200 patrol officers are on Swiss roads each year with about 361,000 operations, enabling immediate continuation in more than 80% of cases. The ETI Centre organizes around 63,000 assistance services each year, including 3,500 medical evaluations and over 1,300 repatriations. TCS Ambulance is the largest private player for rescue services and patient transportation in Switzerland with 400 employees, 22 logistics bases, and around 45,000 operations per year. The legal protection offices handle 52,000 cases and provide approximately 10,000 legal consultations.
Since 1908, TCS has been advocating for more safety in mobility – made possible through membership. It develops educational materials, awareness-raising and prevention campaigns, tests mobility infrastructures, and advises authorities. Each year, TCS distributes around 115,000 reflective belts and 90,000 reflective vests to children, ensuring their mobility is safe. 42,000 participants in driver training centres annually cover all categories of vehicles for education and further education.
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Source: Touring Club Suisse (TCS), Press release
Original article published on: Freitag, der 13.: Muss man Angst haben, sich ans Steuer zu setzen?