Do head-restraints protect the neck from whiplash injuries?
Over an 11-month period a study was made of all patients presenting to an accident and emergency department who had sustained whiplash as a result of rear-bumper impacts. The patients were analysed with respect to the presence of head-restraints in their vehicles. A significant increase in the incidence of whiplash was found in patients whose vehicles did not have head-restraints fitted. Legislation requiring all passenger cars to have head-restraints fitted as standard would have a major impact in reducing the number of whiplash injuries sustained in rear bumper impacts.
Morris
F
F
Accident and Emergency Department, Oldchurch Hospital, Essex, England.
D000063:Accidents, Traffic; D001336:Automobiles; D004867:Equipment Design; D006260:Head Protective Devices; D006801:Humans; D014911:Whiplash Injuries / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000628:therapy