Drivers warned over Friday the 13th

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A new study has warned motorists and insurance firms to brace themselves for a "Fatal Friday Phenomenon" on the roads.

Friday the 13th is likely to live up to its unlucky tag in combining the worst day of the week with the worst month of the year for road accidents, according to analysis by the AA and the Work Wise UK organisation.

It found that overall, 10 per cent more road casualties happen on Fridays than other days of the week, with afternoons and evenings the most dangerous for drivers.

Between 2pm and 5pm on Friday and in the early evening, there were 20 per cent more casualties compared to the average for the other weekdays, research showed. The level rises to nearly twice that of other weekdays by late evening.

However, changing work practices had resulted in morning rush hours and 5-6pm period becoming safer.

AA president Edmund King said: "Since the turn of the millennium, Fridays have become safer, and more like the other weekdays.

"This could show a change in working practices, with more people working from home and choosing to do so on Friday. Alternatively, they may start early during the week and take off on Friday afternoon."

The positive pattern may be replicated over other days, Mr King said, adding, "However, at the moment, Fridays are still dangerous, and this Friday the 13th has all the ingredients to be particularly so. Take care with what we have dubbed the Fatal Friday Phenomenon."

Copyright © Press Association 2009

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