9 October 2002: Saab and Volvo have come out on the top of a league of head restraint safety tests which are featured on a new British website (Volvo system pictured above). But a quarter of 2003 model cars tested failed to give adequate protection against whiplash.

And the research also shows that almost three-quarters (72%) of those who travel in the front seats of vehicles fail to position their headrests correctly anyway, leaving them vulnerable to injury in an accident - most particularly in a rear-end accident.

The results of the research were published by leading British motor research centre Thatcham, who carried out extensive tests on more than 250 vehicles over a two-year period. They said 49% of all systems that were surveyed were categorised as good, one-in-four as adequate, 14% as marginal and 12% poor.
Manufacturers are now being called on to improve the designs of head rests, and incorporate a locking system to ensure that they do not shift out of place in an impact.

Carmakers whose models consistently rated well in tests carried out at Thatcham's Berkshire centre included Volvo and Saab. Indeed, the seat design in the new 9-3 compact executive was held up as the benchmark for other makers to aim for.

Other manufacturers actively working on more effective whiplash protection include Renault, Mercedes Benz, Peugeot-Citroen, and Toyota.

You can check out YOUR car’s rating at www.ncwr.co.uk

Thatcham chief executive Peter Roberts says the ratings should alert the motor industry to make improvements and act as a guide to the motorist wanting to buy a safe vehicle.

He bluntly warns that certain vehicle manufacturers still need to make improvements to fall within the internationally recognised standards.

It is reckoned that one-in-ten of those who suffer from whiplash, will endure symptoms for more than six months.

A head restraint should be as close to the back of the head as Possible - if possible just touching it. And the top of the rest should be as high as the top of the head.

Low speed rear end shunts, at junctions, traffic lights and traffic jams, are among the most common form of road accident.

The damage to the neck area arises from the different speeds at which the body and head move on impact and research has focused on the possibility of internal nerve damage to the spinal canal.

Those involved can suffer mild symptoms such as stiffness, headaches, dizziness and tenderness in muscles in the upper back and neck.

These cases are usually classed as short term and can last up to three months. But there can be more serious, long-term cases where permanent impairment results.

Soft tissue neck injuries currently cost insurers large sums each year.