When you get into your vehicle, one of the first things you probably do is buckle up your seat belt. Then, it’s a quick mirror check. But when is the last time you adjusted your headrest? Over 80% of insurance claims are due to soft tissue injuries to the upper body caused by collisions. Studies show that if drivers properly adjust their headrest they can reduce thee injuries by 40%.* These same studies tell us that only 23% of women and 7% of men have their headrests in the proper position. People don’t seem to realize that the headrest works in conjunction with your seatbelt to prevent your head and neck from twisting and/or snapping backwards.
So what is the right way to use your headrest?
You can suffer whiplash or other soft tissue injuries even at speeds of 15KM per hour so following these tips is essential:
- Position the top of the headrest in line with the top of your head.
- Make sure the distance between the headrest and your head is 5-10 CM.
- Always sit up straight when driving.
- If you have time to react during an accident, lean back into your headrest.
Having your headrest properly adjusted can save you a lot of headaches if you ever get into an accident.
