Whiplash danger for '60% of cars'
Two thirds of cars do not give adequate protection from whiplash in rear-end shunts - the most common type of accident, according to new research.
Out of 114 vehicle types tested only 18 were rated "good" and 27 "acceptable", Thatcham motor research centre found.

It said of the other 60%, 24% were "marginal" and 24% "poor". Cars in the poor category included: the BMW 3 series, Jaguar X-Type and Renault Clio.

But car makers said adjusting headrests properly could prevent 80% of injuries.

Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders spokesman Nigel Wonnacott said: "The inference that we put unsafe seats in cars is nonsense.

"We know that whiplash is a concern, particularly for the insurance industry, but the reality is that four out of five whiplash injuries could be prevented simply by adjusting the head restraint properly."

Painful injuries

Other poor performers in the Thatcham tests were the Land Rover Freelander, Honda CRV, Toyota Corolla, Citroen C2/C3, Honda Jazz and Volkswagen Polo.

Twenty-five models were not tested because the positioning of their seats did not provide the minimum level of protection.


TEST RESULTS
114 car models tested
18 rated "good"
27 rated "acceptable"
of the remaining 60% , 24% were rated "marginal and 36% "poor"

Matthew Avery, head of the Berkshire-based Thatcham test programme described the results as "very disturbing".

"Some manufacturers - and many motorists - will be shocked by these findings," he said.

"Some models were thought to offer proper protection but, when we put them to the test on our dynamic sled, the seats did not perform as expected."

Mr Avery added: "In a real life accident this could result in lasting painful injuries.

"Manufacturers are certain to be embarrassed with our findings - they will have to make significant changes if they wish to really protect people in a car crash."

Whiplash is the most common injury resulting from crashes. Of the 250,000 cases every year, 10% result in long-term symptoms and 1% of victims suffer permanent pain and discomfort.

The injury adds £1bn a year to insurance premiums.

Women are more at risk than men, with taller women aged 20-50 being two-and-a-half times more likely to suffer whiplash than their male counterparts.

Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/1/hi/uk/4012459.stm