2012 has three Friday the 13ths

WILMINGTON, Del., Jan. 13 (UPI) -- A University of Delaware professor said this year is unique for having three Friday the 13ths, each spaced exactly 13 weeks apart.

Tom Fernsler, a math professor nicknamed Dr. 13, said most years have two Friday the 13ths, but 2011 had only one and 2012 will feature three, the first taking place Friday, the next April 13 and the final one on July 13, The (Wilmington, Del.) News-Journal reported Friday.

Fernsler said 2012 is the first year since 2009 to have three Friday the 13ths and it's the first time since 1984 to have three occurrences spaced 13 weeks apart.

Swedish insurance company Trygg-Hansa said its figures found Friday the 13th isn't particularly unlucky, despite common superstition, Swedish news agency TT/The Local reported.

Johan Eriksson of Trygg-Hansa said the company recorded 7 percent fewer accidents on Friday the 13ths than on an average day.

"The reported accidents are even fewer than on other Fridays, by 3 percent," Eriksson said.

However, Fernsler said superstitions surrounding the date abound.

"I find that 95 percent of people in the world are superstitious about something, and the other 5 percent are liars," he said.