Whiplash injury occurs mainly as a result of rear-end collisions. The assumption is that the less easily flexible rear-end a car has, the greater the chance of whiplash. A fitted towing hook increases the stiffness of the rear-end of cars. This report explores the relationship between towing hooks and whiplash in greater depth. The old design of the towing hook has a negative influence on the crushable zone at the rear end of cars. At this moment, however, it is not clear if there is a problem as far as the number of whiplash accidents is concerned. No data is known about the numbers installed of the old design towing hooks. It can be concluded, that in the short term, not much can be done to improve the modern towing hook to reduce the chance of whiplash. That is why owners of cars fitted with a towing hook need information about the correct use of a head restraint.
Abstract