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I had four years of pain from my last company car, a 2008 model Focus, entirely due to the angle of the head restraint. Well-intentioned advice from other contributors on adjusting the backrest completely missed the point: drivers are not totally stupid - we do know how to adjust positions of things, if they are adjustable, and we do try every possible combination to find one that is comfortable!
It is the angle between the backrest itself and the head restraint - a fixed angle which cannot be changed - which causes the problem, and the Focus was doubly cursed with head restraints which were hard-edged and non-adjustable - unlike, say, those in Renaults, which have an angled head cushion.
Driving my Focus over the slightest undulation on a road surface, let alone potholes and infernal speed humps/"cushions", led to a constant bumpity-bump-bump as my head hit the edge of the restraint. Either that or else I would try to lean forwards slightly in anticipation and avoid the smack on the head, like a cheeky child dodging a parent's slap. But constant straining my neck led to as much discomfort and almost as much pain as the aforementioned smack round the head!
My Toyota Avensis has head restraints which are much more upright but best of all the pads are nicely cushioned. I simply do not believe that slamming a human skull into a rock hard surface is the best way to avoid whiplash; it is seriously time for a rethink on certain safety features - and time for some car safety "experts" to actually drive the cars they seem to design so hatefully.
Despite not having lumbar adjustment, I have now covered 10,000 miles and have had absolutely no back or neck pain in the most comfortable car seats I have ever sat in.
Edited by Bilboman on 10/03/2013 at 17:48
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