Buzz
Have you ever caught yourself holding your breath while driving through a tunnel? Rich Legg/Getty ImagesSuperstitions are deeply ingrained in human behavior. For instance, many feel a surge of luck upon spotting a penny on the ground, especially if it’s heads up. These rituals gain strength when tied to fear or anxiety. Would you confidently stroll under a ladder on Friday the 13th? Most would think twice.
It’s no surprise that Americans carry superstitions into their driving habits. A recent national survey conducted by Netquote, a car insurance marketplace, revealed that holding your breath while passing through tunnels tops the list of driving superstitions. This raises the question — what’s the reason behind holding your breath in a tunnel?
Is the Superstition About Avoiding Bad Luck?
Approximately 30% of American women and 35% of American men admit to holding their breath while driving through tunnels, but where does this widespread superstition come from? The answer is still unclear. Some drivers claim it’s a way to ward off bad luck, while others believe it’s a way to make a wish that will come true if they hold their breath until they exit the tunnel.
Possible explanations for this behavior include the belief that tunnel air could heal children suffering from whooping cough, requiring passengers to hold their breath, or that it helps balance air pressure changes. Alternatively, some view it as a fun game for kids during family road trips, unrelated to any superstition about tunnel air’s supposed healing properties.
NetquoteMore Superstitions on the Road
Holding your breath in tunnels isn’t the only widespread superstition among drivers and passengers. For example, the second most common practice is lifting your feet when crossing a bridge or railroad tracks. Almost 25% of those surveyed admit to holding their breath when driving by a cemetery. A similar number keep a good-luck charm in their vehicle, such as a rosary or rabbit’s foot. Additionally, many drivers pray when approaching a yellow light, and while not included in the survey, some tap their car’s roof after making it through.
"We initially thought superstitious behaviors on the road would be rare, so it was surprising to find that more than one in five men and women carry a lucky charm in their car," shares Jason Hargraves, NetQuote’s managing editor, via email. Even if you don’t follow any driving superstitions, chances are you know someone who does. For many, these rituals are simply part of the driving experience.
Urban Legends
In a separate survey, Netquote explored drivers’ most common fears, including some well-known urban legends. The top fear for both men and women is the possibility of fake police officers pulling them over. Nearly half of women and over a third of men expressed this concern. While such incidents are exceedingly rare, they do occur, so drivers are encouraged to verify an officer’s identification if something seems off.
Overall, women tend to experience more driving-related fears than men. For instance, over twice as many female drivers (22.5 percent) fear someone hiding in their back seat compared to men (11 percent). However, slightly more men than women believe that car thieves use coins to jam door handles, keeping them unlocked even after the driver thinks they’ve secured the car. Childhood horror stories clearly leave a lasting impact.
Here’s a driving "superstition" with a practical lifesaving twist, thanks to KiwiRail and TrackSAFE NZ in New Zealand: To ensure safety, blow left and right (across your shoulders) when approaching train tracks. This clever tactic encourages people to look both ways, potentially preventing accidents and saving lives.
