Driver Know-How Ignores Safety Items

The findings come at a time when automakers, after years of inattention, have begun to focus on safe seats, according to Adrian Lund, Chief Operating Officer, Insurance Institute for Highway Safety,

"In 1995, unless you were short it was hard to find a vehicle with a head restraint high enough to provide protection. Now, even taller people have a good chance of getting restraints that will protect them. This marks a sea change," said Mr. Lund.

IIHS found last year, for the first time, more than half of all new vehicles had head restraints rated good or acceptable.

But, despite IIHS research demonstrating that properly positioned head restraints can significantly reduce neck injuries, the Progressive survey found the following:

? Fourteen percent of drivers know the optimal head restraint positioning.

? Eighteen percent of drivers think all vehicles come with head restraints already properly positioned.

? Forty percent of drivers don't adjust their head restraint when driving a newly purchased vehicle.

? Thirteen percent of drivers "have given no thought" to how high their head restraint should be to minimize neck injury.

"People should know that proper head restraint adjustment can not only help protect them from injury, but can also help lower the medical costs associated with accidents?which can ultimately help keep the cost of insurance down for all consumers," said John Bindseil, medical claims manager for Progressive.

Matt Collister, a spokesman for Progressive, points out that the survey was also intended to communicate to consumers that "there are resources they can go to for information on proper restraint adjustment, and to find out how the restraints in a car they are considering buying, or already own, perform."

Mr. Collister suggested that consumers seeking information visit Progressive's Web site or the IIHS Web site, which lists head restraint ratings for over 2,000 vehicles.

The company said increased attention to proper neck safety will ultimately decrease insurance costs for all motorists.

According to IIHS, 400,000 drivers report neck injuries due to rear-impact vehicle crashes each year. IIHS said neck injuries cost the auto insurance industry, and ultimately consumers, more than $7 billion a year.

In a 2001 analysis, IIHS found for the first time, more than half of all new vehicles had head restraints rated good or acceptable.

Mr. Lund expects the trend to better head restraints will continue, "It's encouraging to track all the manufacturer activity aimed at improving head restraints. Generally speaking, restraints are getting higher and closer to the head, and many more adjustable restraints now come with locks to keep them in position."