Head Restraints: Protect Yourself from Neck Injuries
Neck injuries are reported by drivers in more than one in five rear-impact crashes. Although studies show that proper adjustment of a head restraint can prevent neck injuries, many drivers don't take the time or don't know how to adjust their head restraints.

Five Simple Steps to Adjust Your Head Restraint
Next time you get in the car, follow these simple steps to help protect yourself from neck injuries:

  1. Whether you're the driver or passenger, check out your head restraint before getting into the car. Get to know how it works. Does it adjust up and down? Does it tilt? Does it lock into place? Knowing how your head restraint works will help you find the best position for you.
  2. Once you're in the car, be sure your seat back is in an upright and comfortable driving or sitting position.
  3. Face forward and reach behind you to adjust the height of your head restraint. In the optimal position, the top of the head restraint should be as high as the top of your head and no lower than 2.5 inches below the top of your head. If your restraint locks into position, make sure it is locked in after you've found the right height for you.
  4. Still facing forward, feel how close the head restraint is to your head. In the optimal position, it should be as close as possible to the back of your head, no farther than 2.5 inches away. If your restraint tilts, this can help you find the right distance. Adjusting the height of your seat can help, too.
  5. To be sure you've positioned your head restraint properly, you or someone in the car with you can use a ruler to measure the height and distance from your head.
Not all adjustable head restraints can be locked into place or positioned properly for all drivers. In these cases, do everything you can to protect yourself, such as adjusting your seat back to achieve proper head restraint position.