Head Restraints

Head restraints are required in the front seats of all new passenger vehicles to protect against neck injury in a rear-end crash. But all head restraints aren't the same. Some are adjustable while others are fixed. Head restraints also vary in height and proximity to occupants' heads. To prevent neck injury, a head restraint must be directly behind and close to the back of the head. And if the restraints are adjustable, make sure they lock.

Don't be surprised if a head restraint cannot be positioned for adequate protection. Among more than two-hundred 1997 model passenger cars in which the head restraints were measured, more than half had poor geometry. Only five vehicles had good head restraint geometry. They are:

• Honda Civic del Sol
• Mercedes E class with restraints that adjust automatically
• Toyota Supra
• Volvo 850
• Volvo 960