Private hire and delivery drivers spend so much time on the road that strange things are bound to happen! With so many hours driven, especially at night, you could be more susceptible to spooky feelings, or the feeling of a chill down your spine.
As it’s Hallowe’en, let’s dive into some spooky urban legends, strange superstitions and some practical tips to keep the bad luck away this season.
Mysterious myths and spooky superstitions
Don’t drive with a single shoe in your car
In several cultures, it’s said to be bad luck to leave a single shoe in your car. The superstition likely stems from the idea that shoes, which are meant to protect you, are now missing their partner and throwing the balance off.
On the flip side, according to English folklore, it’s considered good luck to throw an old show at someone starting a journey. But we don’t recommend this! You could also leave an old shoe by the front door before they go.
Practical Tip - Make sure your car is clear of clutter and rubbish. Not only will this avoid the potential for distraction, or items becoming wedged under pedals, but ensures a safe environment for you and your passengers.
Seven years of bad luck for a broken mirror
Few superstitions are as old as this one! Originating in Roman times, breaking a mirror, including your car’s rear view or side mirrors, is thought to bring bad luck for seven years.
Reflected images were thought to hold mysterious powers, including being portals to the Gods enabling them to keep watch over their subjects. Smashing the mirror destroyed this link, enraging the gods and bringing seven years of bad luck to the unfortunate glass-breaker.
Practical Tip - Though the broken mirror myth is just superstition, your wing mirrors and internal mirrors should be free of cracks and smashes. For obvious safety reasons, they should also be nice and clean, ensuring a good view of the road around you.
Beware the Phantom Hitchhiker
Every major road in the country has its version of the spectral hitchhiker, forever trying to find its way home. This classic urban legend tells of drivers who pick up hitchhikers on a dark, lonely road, only for the person to mysteriously vanish from the car before reaching their destination. Could these hitchhikers be ghosts or spirits, re-enacting the night they died?
Practical Tip - If you’re out on the road waiting for rides, for your own safety you should only pick up verified passengers. Avoid strangers outside of the app or platform you’re using. If something doesn’t feel right, always report via the app channels, or call 999 in an emergency.
Car chaos on Friday the 13th
While it’s difficult to track down the origins of this one, Friday the 13th has at least been around since the 14th century. Some point to Friday being Rome’s traditional day of execution, while others point to religious connotations surrounding Good Friday. Over time, many factors have come together to mark Friday the 13th as unlucky. But is it really a bad idea to drive on that day? According to Churchill, it makes very little difference. In fact, insurers in the Netherlands found fewer claims were made on Friday 13th!
Practical Tip - Ward off bad luck by routinely checking tyre pressures, oil levels, lights etc. Make sure your services are up to date, and action any repairs in a timely manner!
James Dean’s “cursed car”
Did you know that James Dean, Hollywood star, owned what would come to be known as a cursed car? After an accident in the Porsche 550 Spyder cut Dead’s life tragically short, parts of the wreckage were removed by would-be treasure hunters and salvagers. Supposedly, bad fortune and accidents befell anyone who owned the parts.
Dean had only owned the car for nine days, and at the time it boasted one of the fastest engines in the world. Unfortunately, the cars were constructed from aluminium, meaning even a minor collision would total them. Very few remain today because of this very reason, and its reputation for killing the original bad boy.
James Dean and his Porsche 550 Spyder
Practical Tip - Learn from James Dean and always make sure to properly research any vehicle before purchasing. Fortunately, modern cars are built to the highest safety standards, but when purchasing second-hand, you should always carry out the proper inspections, and ask for a thorough vehicle history.
And in creepy conclusion…
Myths and superstitions can be silly, but you can find logic in them if you look deep enough. After all, not smashing mirrors and not picking up strange hitchhikers should be common sense.
Therefore you should always take urban legends and ghost stories with a pinch of salt, but remain cautious, and be ready for anything when you’re out on the road.
Real peace of mind comes from being well-prepared.
Our private hire insurance offers you protection on the road, helping you focus on what matters - driving safely.
No ghosts, goblins or ghouls here - just simple, easy insurance.
Get your online quote here.
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