Seat belts, air bags and anti-lock brakes are important safety features in your car or truck. But one of the most important safety devices is often overlooked: your head rest.
During a collision, your headrest should connect with your head, not your neck. This provides extra support especially if you are involved in a rear-end collision. But if your headrest is in the wrong position you could suffer whiplash and injury.
How do you adjust your headrest?
- Align the centre of the headrest with the top of your ear
- The top of your headrest should be the same height as the top of your head
- The distance between the back of your head and the front of your headrest should be 5 to 10 centimetres (2 to 4 inches)
Head rest tips:
- Remember to adjust the headrest each time you switch drivers if you share your vehicle
- Check the headrests in the front and rear seats
- If you are travelling in someone else’s car, don’t be shy about adjusting the headrest. You can help your friends or family members adjust their headrests, too
- If your vehicle’s headrest does not move or will not reach the correct position, consider purchasing an extra headrest safety device at your local automotive parts store
