What is the significance of the head rests on the vehicle’s seats during an accident from behind?
- They can prevent neck and back pains during long drives.
- Correct answer: They reduce forward and backward head jolting (whiplash).
- They can reduce and prevent passenger knee injuries during frontal collision.
- They can reduce and prevent passenger leg injuries during vehicle roll-over.
Why this is the answer
The correct answer in the official bank: They reduce forward and backward head jolting (whiplash).
In a rear-end crash, the car and seat are pushed forward suddenly while the head lags behind, snapping back and then forward. A properly adjusted head rest catches the head and limits this jolting, reducing the neck injury known as whiplash. That is why it should be set at head height and close to the head. It is not meant for comfort on long drives or for protecting knees or legs.