Why headrests are important in a car
Car headrests are meant to protect drivers and passengers from neck injuries. They also prevent spinal cord pain. NET PHOTO.
While on the road, your safety and that of other car occupants should be considered a priority. There are a number of safety features that are a must-have in your car space to ensure this safety. When it comes to your head-neck position, car headrests are a predominant feature.
This car feature comes in different sizes and shapes. Some car headrests actually accommodate installed 10-inch size monitor-viewing screens at the back for passenger’s viewing.
The significance of headrests
According to John Odongo, the head of training at Prestige Driving School, car headrests are vital and life-saving features in a car. “They provide restraint in case of a rear-head collision after a sudden brake and protect the driver’s neck from injury.”
However, not all cars have the provision for headrests.
Ronald Amanyire Mowt, the Secretary of Uganda National Roads Safety Council, says, “The availability of headrests in a car depends on different car manufacturers, each of whom has distinctive vehicle designs. Some of them want to cut costs so they do not include some of these car safety features.”
Locally redesigned taxis do not have car headrests because the fabricators add more seats in the taxi for commercial gain without adherence to passenger safety.
Positioning and adjusting
Odongo recommends before you drive, make sure to adjust the headrest and leave leg-room for safety while driving. Adjuste the headrests to suit your comfort. “To adjust the headrest, press the knob on the side next to the car headrest stand and lift it up or push it down to suit your head level depending on your height.”
Amanyire advises that drivers consider their sitting comfort while positioning car headrests. “You can opt to position your car headrest depending on your height. For short people, slightly bend the headrest forward if there is no provision for pushing it down. A taller person should position the headrest straight to avoid pains in the neck area.”
Headrests allow the driver to sit in such a way that the spinal cord is straight to guard against backaches.
However, Odongo tips that car headrests be straight and not slightly bent forward. “The back of the head should lie against the centre of the headrest and not above it. Positioning the headrest to bend slightly forward will bend the neck area and may strain the muscles and spinal cord.”
