How good are the head restraints on passenger vehi

The Institute regularly evaluates the geometry of head restraints in hundreds of new passenger vehicles and has been doing so since 1995. Each restraint is classified into one of four geometric zones defined by its height and backset (distance from the back of an occupant's head to the front of the restraint). Restraints are rated as good, acceptable, marginal, or poor. The measurements are made with a dummy representing an average-size male at a typical seatback angle. Head restraints have improved since the surveys began. In 1995 only 3 percent of measured head restraints rated good compared with 45 percent in 2003. The number of poor restraints has decreased dramatically from 82 percent in 1995 to 10 percent in 2003. These ratings are a good indicator of the proportion of motorists likely to be protected in a rear-end crash. Marginal head restraints are not more than 4.5 inches from the back of the dummy's head and are tall enough to protect average-size males and shorter motorists from injury. Restraints rated acceptable and good can protect taller motorists.

	The head restraint dummy shown at left is fully assembled for measurements. A score is assigned from the measurements using the table shown (above left). Manufacturers have been improving their head restraints over time, as shown in the graph above. Barton Chiropractic, we know whiplash!