The secret behind the car headrest design that you don’t know
According to a recent IIHS report shared above X (Twitter) properly adjusting the seat headrest can minimize the risk of neck injury in the event of a collision, especially a rear-end collision. In fact, rear-end collisions are the most common type of car accident in the United States, and they are the cause of about 83% of neck injuries recorded in auto insurance claims.
Research by the US National Library of Medicine also shows that, in an accident, seat headrests have the ability to prevent injuries such as neck sprains, neck strains, and even more serious spinal injuries. However, many drivers do not pay attention to adjusting the headrests properly, and even remove or rotate them because they feel uncomfortable. This increases the risk of injury when a collision occurs.
The headrest on a car seat plays a very important role in ensuring the safety and comfort of the occupant. When a rear collision occurs, the headrest will help stabilize the head and neck, minimizing serious injuries such as whiplash (cervical vertebrae injury). Headrests help support your head and neck, help you maintain an upright sitting position, reduce stress on neck and shoulder muscles, thereby reducing fatigue when sitting for long periods of time.
How head restraints work in an accident
When a car is hit from behind, the car will be pushed forward, and according to inertia, the occupant’s body will move with the seat. However, if the head is not supported by the headrest, it will fall backwards, causing whiplash – a type of injury in which the neck is suddenly bent and stretched.
To prevent this, the head and body must move together throughout the impact. This can only be achieved if the headrest is high enough and placed close to the occupant’s head. IIHS recommends that the height of the head restraint should be equal to or higher than the top of the occupant’s head, and that the distance from the head restraint to the occupant’s head should be minimized as much as possible. The structure of the seat and the stiffness of the headrest must also be designed to work together to effectively protect the neck and head in the event of an accident.
The headrest is designed to be soft, helping you relax and rest better during travel. Using a headrest properly helps reduce health problems related to the cervical spine such as pain, fatigue, and numbness.
Adjust the headrest properly
For the seat headrest to function optimally, it is important to adjust it correctly. If your vehicle has an adjustable headrest, raise it so the top of the headrest is level with the top of your head. For tall people, if the headrest cannot reach the top of the head, raise it to the highest position. On the other hand, if you are short in height, you may not need to make many adjustments.
Additionally, to ensure the headrest is always near the back of your head, you can also adjust the reclining angle of the seat accordingly. Some car models also offer the ability to adjust the headrest forward and backward, helping the occupant find the safest and most comfortable headrest position.
Headrests are often made from soft materials such as foam, fabric or leather to create a comfortable feeling when resting your head. The materials used must ensure high durability to be able to withstand impacts during use. Some headrest models can adjust the tilt angle to suit the user’s sitting position, enhancing comfort.
Pay attention when driving
One of the common but very dangerous habits is that many people like to overturn or remove the headrest because it feels in the way, especially those with long hair, tying their hair in a ponytail or using hairpins. However, this action can lead to serious injuries in the event of a rear-end collision. Plastic claw clips, if worn behind the head while driving, can also become a source of additional injury. Therefore, whatever your hairstyle, make sure that the headrest is always adjusted properly for the best protection in emergency situations.
The middle part of the headrest is often designed to be concave to hug the back of the head, helping to stabilize the head and minimize sudden movements in the event of a collision. The two sides of the headrest are often raised higher to support the head and limit movement to the sides. Most modern headrests can be adjusted in height to suit each person’s height, ensuring optimal protection. The height of the headrest is usually designed to comply with international safety standards, to ensure effective protection in various collision situations.
Car seat headrests, while often forgotten or improperly adjusted, are an important element in protecting occupants from serious injuries in crashes. Don’t ignore the importance of properly adjusting the headrest – this is one of the simple factors that plays an important role in keeping you and your loved ones safe on every trip.
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