Automobile insurance claims were examined to determine the rates of neck injuries in rear-end crashes for vehicles with and without redesigned head restraints and/or seats. Results indicate that the improved geometric fit of head restraints observed in many newer vehicle models are reducing the risk of whiplash injury substantially among female drivers (about 37 percent in the Ford Taurus and Mercury Sable) but with very little effect among male drivers. New seat designs, such as active head restraints that move upward and closer to drivers’ heads during a rear impact, give added benefit, producing about a 43 percent reduction in whiplash injury claims (55 percent reduction among female drivers). Volvo’s Whiplash Injury Prevention System also reduced neck injury claims an estimated 49 percent, but this effect was not significant given small sample sizes. Again, these new designs appear more effective for female than for male drivers. No benefits were detected for Toyota’s Whiplash Injury Lessening system design. (Author/publisher)
Abstract