Car manufacturers have finally woken up to the dangers of whiplash injuries, but the British public aren't yet using their heads to save their necks, a report from Thatcham the insurance research centre will reveal.
More than 125,000 drivers and passengers in the UK could be being injured in accidents annually purely because they have not adjusted their head restraint properly.
A survey carried out by Thatcham shows that more than 63%, of drivers have their head restraint set in the wrong position – making them vulnerable to injury.
A staggering 250,000 of UK motorists receive whiplash injuries each year – with 25,000 suffering some form of permanent disability.
Thatcham said the top of the head restraint should be level with or above the top of the head - and as close to the back of the head as possible.
Matthew Avery, crash lab manager, Thatcham, said: “The head restraint should be seen as every bit as important as the seat belt – yet people seem oblivious as to how to use it properly.”
“These figures are shocking,” Avery added, “if people are made aware of the risks they are running they would take a few seconds to adjust their restraint whenever they get in to a vehicle."
