Remember…it’s not a head rest, but a head restraint. Big, big difference. The restraint works best when set at mid-head level and no less than 2″ away from your head. If it’s too low, it acts like a pivot, flinging your head back and forth which just increases the effect of whiplash. If it’s too far back, it doesn’t catch your head in time before your vertebrae shear or your neck whips back & forth.

Vehicle occupants who have no prior knowledge to a crash are 15 times more likely to suffer injury. This means it’s important to be aware of your surroundings and watch your rear view mirror when stopping at lights or in stop and go traffic on the freeway. Listen for tire squeals and sounds of collisions behind. It’s not about being paranoid, but vigilance can go a long way. If you see a collision coming you will know what to do with the next tip.

Everyone has heard the tale about a drunk who walks out of an accident unscathed because he’s so relaxed–he didn’t brace and he didn’t anticipate the crash. Well, the statistics say otherwise. Injury is greater when the impact is unexpected and the occupants are unable to brace. So, the second you notice another vehicle might hit you, brace for the crash by leaning your head against the head restraint and your body back against the seat. If you’re the driver, put both hands on the steering wheel and stretch your arms out to push yourself back into the seat. Firmly plant your foot on the brake and the other foot on the floor. By bracing like this, your entire body becomes rigid and is essentially part of the car. Bracing like this will prevent injuries in just about any low speed collision and will minimize damage in higher speed collisions. If you have passengers, direct everyone to “lean back and hold on!”

Injuries are magnified by your head, body or the vehicle itself being turned at an angle. For maximum protection, you want both sides of your muscles and ligaments to bear the load of a collision. If your head is turned, only one side is working and you suffer greater damage. So, when the collision is imminent and you are bracing, look straight ahead. Do not look into the rear view mirror. If you tilt your head up, down or to the side, it will make neck damage worse. Look straight ahead and brace for it. When stopping at an intersection to make a left turn or in the right lane to make a right turn, keep your car headed straight ahead until you are ready to turn and move through the intersection. If you “cheat” and angle your car while waiting in the intersection, you are opening yourself up to greater injury by being turned at impact. Worse, in the case of making a left turn, if your wheels are turned and you unexpectedly get hit from behind, your vehicle is likely to get pushed wherever your wheels are aimed, which means right into oncoming traffic! Keep the wheels straight until its time to go.

Once the initial collision occurs and you are properly braced, you need to ride out the collision, keeping your foot hard on the brakes until you come to a stop. But you’re not out of the woods yet. Be prepared to hit the vehicle in front of you! Keep bracing. If you miss the vehicle in front, do not let up yet. Keep bracing for several more seconds until you are absolutely sure there’s not going to be more collisions behind you. This is especially important on freeways where there tends to be multiple car collisions. Let your guard down too soon and even though you avoided injuries from the first impact, a second one may hit the vehicle that hit you and bang, you’re unprepared and injured.