Automakers aren’t doing enough to help protect against whiplash. Statistics show that a rear-end collision occurs in the United States every 17 seconds. One of the most common injuries sustained in these types of accidents is whiplash. Whiplash occurs when the force of an impact causes a person’s head to snap forward and then snap back. This action can hyperextend the neck and damage the nerves and ligaments, leading to constant pain and neck stiffness. Whiplash can occur even if a crash occurs at low speeds of around ten miles per hour.
The good news is that much can be done to protect against whiplash injuries. A simple way would be to install adequate headrests and backrests for all passengers, which can reduce the effects of whiplash by providing head support. However, automakers seem reluctant to spend money in this area, as most auto safety reports focus on other areas of importance, most likely because whiplash injuries are rarely fatal.
But although the injuries may not be fatal, they can still cause a lot of discomfort and can cause the vertebrates in the neck to tear and the ligaments to become severe. Later in life, accident victims may suffer from arthritis in the neck as a result of the injury. About two million whiplash claims are filed each year in the United States, and about 10 percent of these injuries are so serious that they will result in long-term damage.
Car manufacturers need to pay more attention to developing headrests and seats that minimize the effects of whiplash. However, this is challenging as there is no one size fits all and an effective headrest and seat must fit people of all shapes and sizes. In addition, there must be flexibility in the system to allow people to adapt the headrests to their needs, so that they get the maximum benefit. This is especially important for tall people, who are at higher risk of serious whiplash injuries.
While automakers need to make sure the vehicles they produce are as safe as possible, drivers and passengers need to do their part too. Most headrests are adjustable and the correct position will help prevent severe whiplash. The problem is that most people don’t know how to modify their headrest or what the best position is. Also, many people don’t have time to change their head restraint, or don’t even think it will help them if they have an accident. Education is required to help drivers and passengers understand the value of making sure their head restraints are currently in place before driving, just like making sure they wear their seat belts.
Cars produced in 2009 will have to meet new federal requirements that focus on reducing neck injuries. This rule came in 2005 and is intended to bring American automakers up to the standards of their European counterparts. Hopefully this will force the auto industry to realize that whiplash can be a life-changing injury and more needs to be done to prevent it from happening.
