By ALLEN MCQUISTONJemez Insurance Agency
Serving Los Alamos Since 1963
Most people adjust their seat… their mirrors… maybe the steering wheel…
And then never touch the headrest again.
But here’s the thing: your headrest isn’t for comfort.
It’s a safety device — and when it’s set wrong, it can make a crash much worse, even at lower speeds.
This is one of those small details that almost nobody talks about, but it can seriously affect your risk of neck injury.
What a Headrest Actually Does (Most People Think It’s Just a Pillow)
A headrest is designed to prevent a specific injury during a crash:
- Whiplash
- Whiplash happens when your head snaps backward and forward rapidly — most commonly in rear-end accidents.
- Even a “minor” crash can cause it.
- Your headrest’s job is to stop your head from snapping too far backward, which reduces the strain on your neck.
The Two Most Common Mistakes
1) The headrest is too low
- This is the biggest one.
- If your headrest is low, your head can roll over the top of it in a rear-end collision, which increases the chance of serious neck injury.
2) The headrest is too far back
- Even if it’s the right height, if there’s a big gap between your head and the headrest, your head has room to build speed before it hits it.
- That extra movement increases whiplash force.
The “Correct” Headrest Position (Simple Rules)
Here’s the easiest way to set it properly:
Height
The top of the headrest should be:
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level with the top of your head, or
-
at minimum, level with the top of your ears
If it’s below your ears, it’s too low.
Distance
The headrest should be close enough that the gap between your head and the headrest is:
-
about 2 inches or less (roughly two fingers)
If your head is several inches away, it’s too far back.
Why This Matters Even More Today
Modern cars have better crash protection than ever.
But most rear-end injuries aren’t from the car being destroyed — they’re from your body being thrown around inside it.
Rear-end collisions are one of the most common accidents, and neck injuries are one of the most common results.
That’s why this small adjustment matters.
The Weird Part: Most Cars Come “Wrong” From the Factory
Many headrests are shipped:
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too low
-
tilted back
-
or not adjusted for the driver’s height
So if you’ve never touched yours… there’s a good chance it’s not protecting you the way it should.
A 30-Second Safety Habit That’s Actually Worth It
If you want one simple habit that improves your safety instantly:
Every time you adjust your seat, adjust your headrest, too.
- Because in a crash, it’s not the airbags or the seatbelt that protect your neck first… It’s your headrest.