The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has introduced a new, improved test for whiplash prevention in rear-impact vehicles. This test aims to address the most common causes of whiplash injuries in the United States, which are often associated with neck strains and sprains. The new protocol simulates a rear impact at both 20 and 30 mph, and evaluates the performance of seats and head restraints in preventing whiplash. The test, which was launched in 2023, assessed 36 late-model vehicles and compared the results with injury-claim data supplied by the IIHS-affiliated Highway Loss Data Institute. The new test retained some criteria from the original protocol, including the amount of time it takes for a head restraint to contact a dummy's head, and acceleration of the T1 vertebra, the one located where the spine joins the neck. The test also incorporates measures for the tilting and bending of the head relative ...
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has introduced a new, improved test for whiplash prevention in rear-impact vehicles. This test aims to address the most common causes of whiplash injuries in the United States, which are often associated with neck strains and sprains. The new protocol simulates a rear impact at both 20 and 30 mph, and evaluates the performance of seats and head restraints in preventing whiplash.
The test, which was launched in 2023, assessed 36 late-model vehicles and compared the results with injury-claim data supplied by the IIHS-affiliated Highway Loss Data Institute. The new test retained some criteria from the original protocol, including the amount of time it takes for a head restraint to contact a dummy’s head, and acceleration of the T1 vertebra, the one located where the spine joins the neck.
The test also incorporates measures for the tilting and bending of the head relative to the neck, as well as the movement of the pelvis. The results showed that some vehicles performed exceptionally well in preventing whiplash, while others struggled. The Audi Q3, Hyundai Ioniq 5, Subaru Forester, and Toyota RAV4 (the outgoing 2025 model) received the highest “Good” score, while the Ford Bronco Sport, Hyundai Tucson, and Mazda CX-50 received the lowest “Poor” score.
The “Good”-rated SUVs had seats that kept the dummy’s head and spine in alignment, with the spine maintaining its natural curve and the head moving a minimal amount. In contrast, the “Poor”-rated SUVs had seats that straightened and stretched the spine, and allowed for significant head movement. The Hyundai Tucson’s head restraint pushed the chin down toward the chest, the Mazda CX-50’s let the head slide backward and upward, and the Ford Bronco Sport’s took an abnormally long amount of time to make contact with the head.
The new test highlights the importance of head restraints in preventing whiplash. Ideally, head restraints should catch the occupant’s head to keep it from whipping back in an impact. Adjusting them so that they’re as close to your head as possible is crucial for optimal performance. The IIHS test also underscores the need for automakers to develop safer cars that can withstand the rigors of real-world driving.
The updated test is a significant step forward in the pursuit of safer vehicles. By incorporating insurance data and a more comprehensive evaluation of seat and head restraint performance, the IIHS has created a more accurate and effective assessment of a vehicle’s whiplash prevention capabilities.
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