Head Rest

Headrest decreases dramatically the risk of neck injury during a crash. If a car hits you from the rear, your head is thrust violently backwards, then forwards, before returning to the pre-impact position. This is called "whiplash".  Your neck muscles are not able to absorb the impact, your spine becomes extended; bones, muscles, blood vessels and nerves can be damaged. Experts define whiplash as an "acceleration/deceleration mechanism of energy transfer to the neck" which, even at speeds of just over 10km/h you are in danger of suffering from.

Whiplash is one of the most common forms of injuries sustained in car accidents, particularly in rear-impact incidents. Widespread research puts the figure as high as 95% for the proportion of individuals suffering from whiplash after an accident. In Germany alone, there are 400,000 reported sufferers annually. Scientists distinguish between three different types of whiplash: the mildest cases equate to stiffness, neck pain or tenderness. Secondly, the more severe injuries (normally incurred at slightly higher speeds) include musculoskeletal symptoms, such as limited range of movement for the neck. The most serious cases involve neurological problems such as sensory problems. All forms of whiplash can be detected and assessed by computer topography, but as this can be very expensive this type of examination is usually only reserved for the most severe cases.
Although whiplash happens so frequently, it is also an injury that could be easily avoided. A properly adjusted headrest and a correctly positioned seat will together reduce the effects of a rear impact to a minimum. Observation in Lebanon by the Scientific Research Foundation (SRF) in 1998 showed that 52% of headrests in cars are well adjusted. This does not imply that 52% of drivers know how to adjust headrest. Many headrests could be in the right position by coincidence. 

Head Rest Key Tips:

•  Adjust the seat so that your back is as straight as possible
  
•  Check each time before you drive whether the headrest is adjusted correctly:
  
•  The upper edge of the headrest should be higher than the level of the ear of the driver
  
•  The distance between your head and the headrest should be as small as possible and should not exceed 4 cm
  
•  When buying a car, make sure that the headrest is able to give adequate protection:
  
•  If adjustable, you should be able to move it upwards far enough for your use
  
•  It should be able to remain in a fixed position after adjustment
  
•  There should be head rests for the rear seats as well
  
•  The best type of headrest is the fixed type; the adjustable versions have been proved to be far less effective