Where should head restraints be adjusted to for optimal safety?

For optimal safety, head restraints should be adjusted so that the top of the head restraint is at the level of the occupant's ears. This positioning ensures that in the event of a rear-end collision, the head restraint can effectively reduce the risk of whiplash injuries by supporting the head and neck properly.

When the head restraint is aligned with the top of the ears, it minimizes the gap between the head and the restraint, which is crucial in preventing the head from being thrown backward excessively. Proper alignment also helps in distributing the forces experienced during a crash more evenly across the head and neck, enhancing overall protection.

While adjusting to the neck, jaw line, or bottom of the forehead may offer some level of support, these positions do not provide the same degree of effectiveness in preventing injury as having the top of the restraint at ear level. Adjusting the head restraint incorrectly could leave more vulnerable areas of the head and neck exposed in a collision.