10 April 2002: A new pop-up car head rest devised by Saab will reduce whiplash injuries to motorists, particularly women.

The device is triggered by a lever built into the seat and pops up when a front-seat passenger or driver's body is forced into the seat. It automatically adjusts itself during an accident to help cushion the driver's or passenger's head.

Saab has found it reduced the risk of whiplash injuries by up to 70%. The head rest was unveiled at the Institute of Physics conference in Brighton.

Dr Dave Viano told the conference it will be of particular benefit to women, who are twice as likely to suffer whiplash injuries in the front seat of cars as they have thinner necks and tend to sit in a more upright position.

©2002irishcar.com