Auto Club: Lower Chance Of A Fatal Car Crash On 'Unlucky' Friday The 13th

LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — Today may be Friday the 13th, but motorists shouldn't worry about dying 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 20ths.

This year has the maximum three Friday the 13ths -- one today, one next month and one in November.

There are several theories about the origin of why 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 to be the number of completeness.

(©2015 CBS Local Media, a division of CBS Radio Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Wire services contributed to this report.)