Safety is a big concern for you and your family. While shopping for a new Ford in Houston, you've been hitting the NHTSA and the IIHS websites to scour through vehicle ratings, searching for the safest choices.
Getting familiar with what all these ratings mean, beyond a superficial "Top Safety Pick means it's good," can be a little more confusing. One of the most bewildering-sounding ratings is the IIHS's "Head Restraints & Seats" test.
Is someone restraining your head?
When the IIHS says "head restraints," what they really mean is "headrests." It's already making a little more sense, isn't it?
The test takes a two-pronged approach. First, they measure the geometry of the headrest—if it's too low, or set back too far away from your head, then it won't do a good job of catching and supporting your head during a crash. Then they conduct a dynamic sled test, where they mount the car's seat to moving rails, and simulate a rear-end collision.
The IIHS uses a specialized test dummy with realistic neck vertebrae to measure whiplash injuries.
Neck sprains are the most common injuries reported in car crashes, and a good-rated vehicle can reduce your chance of injury. Be sure to check the Head Restraints & Seats rating of any model you are considering.