Abstract
In this article, the Insurance Institute reports that the rate of neck injury complaint stemming from collisions is 15 percent lower when cars and SUVs are equipped with seat/head restraints that are rated good compared to poor. The results were based on insurance claims filed for damage to 2005-6 vehicles that were hit in front-into-rear crashes. The Institute has found that the higher and closer a head restraint is the more likely it will prevent neck injury. The rating system is used internationally by the International Insurance Whiplash Prevention Group, and divides vehicle head restraints into four categories: good, acceptable, marginal and poor. The article describes how neck injuries occur and details of the study.