| Car manufacturers are not doing enough to help | | | | effects of whiplash. However this is a challenge, as |
| protect against whiplash. Statistics show that in | | | | there is no one sizes fits all and an effective |
| America a rear-end crash occurs every 17 seconds. | | | | headrest and seat needs to accommodate people of |
| One of the most common injuries sustained in these | | | | all different shapes and sizes. In addition there needs |
| types of accidents is whiplash. Whiplash occurs when | | | | to be flexibility in the system to allow people to tailor |
| the force of an impact causes a person's head to | | | | the headrests to their needs, so that they get the |
| move rapidly forward and then snap back. This action | | | | maximum benefit. This is especially important for tall |
| can hyperextend the neck and damage the nerves | | | | people, who are at a higher risk of suffering severe |
| and ligaments, resulting in ongoing pain and stiffing of | | | | whiplash injuries. |
| the neck. Whiplash can occur even if a crash takes | | | | While the car manufacturers need to ensure that the |
| place at low speeds of around ten miles per hour. | | | | vehicles they produce are as safe as they can be, |
| The good news is that a lot can be done to protect | | | | drivers and passengers need to do their bit as well. |
| against whiplash injuries. One simple way would be to | | | | Most head rests are adjustable and correct |
| install adequate head rests and seatbacks for all | | | | positioning will help prevent severe whiplash. The |
| passengers, which can reduce the effects of | | | | problem is that most people do not know how to |
| whiplash by providing support to the head. However | | | | alter their headrest, or what the best position is. In |
| car manufacturers seem reluctant to spend money in | | | | addition many people don't have the time to change |
| this area, as most car safety reports focus on other | | | | their headrest, or don't even think that it can help |
| areas of importance, most likely because whiplash | | | | them if they had an accident. Education is required to |
| injuries are very rarely fatal. | | | | help drivers and passengers understand the value of |
| But although the injuries may not be fatal they can | | | | making sure that their head rest is currently |
| still cause a lot of discomfort and may result in | | | | positioned before driving, just like they ensure they |
| vertebrate in the neck fracturing and ligaments | | | | put on their seatbelt. |
| becoming severed. Later on in life accident victims | | | | Cars produced in 2009 will have to meet new federal |
| may suffer from arthritis in the neck as a result of | | | | requirements which concentrate on reducing neck |
| the injury. Every year in America around two million | | | | injuries. This rule came in 2005 and aims to bring |
| claims for whiplash are filed, with roughly 10 percent | | | | American car manufacturers up to the standards of |
| of these injuries so serious that they will result in long | | | | their European counter parts. Hopefully this will force |
| term damage. | | | | the car industry to realise that whiplash can be a life |
| Car manufacturers need to pay more attention to | | | | changing injury and more needs to be done to |
| developing headrests and seats that will minimise the | | | | prevent it from occurring. |