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Checked the position of your head restraint recently?

You could be risking a broken neck

There are 250,000 cases of whiplash every year, crippling necks and backs. Many are caused
in fairly low-speed crashes. (Association of British Insurers)

  • Adjust your head restraint every time you get in a vehicle, whether you are driving or a
    passenger.
  • The top of your head restraint should be no lower than the top of your ears.
  • Straighten your seat so the head restraint is just behind your head.
  • Check passengers’ head restraints too.

Michelle Houldershaw, suffered whiplash injuries when her car spun around in a crash on
Norfolk Road, in Boston, Lincolnshire, on 23 December 2002. After the crash, Michelle suffered
from mysterious ‘drop attacks’, where she suddenly fell to floor, as if asleep. Doctors discovered
that her whiplash injury had caused vertiebrobasilar insufficiency (VBI), a condition caused by
the arteries in her neck not circulating enough blood to her brain. In addition to the ‘drop
attacks’, Michelle’s VBI has caused her to have two heart attacks and seven paralyses, which
have similar effects to those of a stroke. She is unable to walk properly, and requires daily
oxygen. Michelle says, “If you are unfortunate enough to be involved in a car crash, don't suffer
more than you have to - adjust your head restraint to the correct height.”

Right: Michelle before and after the crash

(See right for demonstration. Photo by Thatcham)







                                                                              Before                          After

A Whiplash injury
can last forever!

80% of personal
injury claims are
whiplash
Brake the road safety charity
Michelle Houldershaw - Before
Michelle Houldershaw - After
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