Technologue: Head games - no rest for the whiplash protected PEAR

From the January 2008 edition of motor TrendI took a look at the new Dodge journey's front seats and groaned. "Let me guess:, the head restraint complies with the new 2009 standards, right?" I asked product team leader of Larry Lyons. He assured "Yes, but it's not the final design," me, which means, there are still hope production version will be less forward stoßend and Volvo hard. But brace you are for some complaints with your next headrest (there is nothing about this new seats relaxing). NHTSA expects that costs are 272,000 annual whiplash society, $3 billion (insurance numbers on $8 billion encounter). Whiplash occurs rear-end collisions in low speed when body holding back seat back but still backward move the head, rotate and burden on the neck (at higher speeds in General that fails all seat back and the head and upper body move backward together). That comfy, comfortable headrests are good to prevent terrible whiplash, suffered in pre-1969 cars without head restraints, but let behind your head still to much head rotation for all if you are not properly fix adjusted.The? A new test standard assignment either based on a static test mainly geometrical requirements or a dynamic sled test with performance criteria. The latter is optimized for those ready for active head restraints to pay that, while to move the static forward for places like prototype, is the journey in an accident on accident forces not responding. Now have the cheaper are much larger than, topping-out ceremony 31.5 cm above the hip point if you not height adjustable and a minimum 29.5 cm for adjustable ones (two to four inches higher than before). What is worse is the "minimum back set" or removal of the head on the restraint. Previously unspecified new restrictions must within 2.2 inches or less loom. You need a 15 pound ball move at 15 mph within three milliseconds at 80 g or less stop. It is your convenient headrest.Active restrictions can be moved further away from the head and/or can be a little cushier, as long as a heavier core in position during 8.8 g moved effects during rotation limit 12 degrees relative to the body without inflicting a head injury criteria set over 500 is to head. Three different Active or semi-active designs have been proposed so far. First WHIPS and Saab SAHRs were on the market, Volvo, the occupants use the torso or pelvis backwards in the seat to the lever the headrest and route around the head to meet movement. It is an elegantly simple concept, but challenges the new test passed. BMW offers us a pyrotechnically fired system that offers the head rest along with the top which tilts the seat back in the 7 series. Mercedes Benz offers an electronically triggered spring-loaded device on C, M, and R-class vehicles that pops the headrests forward if necessary. This system cannot be changed without tools. BMW and Mercedes systems were developed by Grammer. Rear head restraints are not mandatory, but something that looks must match the new headrest standards as a headrest, by the year 2010. Also, if you visibility or store can be lowered wrinkles must forward so that adults in the seat can sit not, without the headrests in position. Could discourage fitment of rear head restraints, boost the Fund whiplash incident? who with the seat back drive not ski carriers at a Gangsta lean position will likely find annoying new fixed head restraints, so expect the most seats of to more expensive active feature designs in a few years further escalation of the price of even the cheapest cars. NHTSA predicts the new legislation prevents that around 17,000 injuries per year-six percent of all HWS cases. Is this good value for money/complaints? I am not so sure.Motor Trend rating: