And it’s not only...

And it’s not only the painful and debilitating symptoms, such as headaches, dizziness and neck stiffness, that drivers should be worried about. Expensive treatments cost the insurance industry more than чЈ1billion a year.

But there are precautions you can take to avoid this injury, says crash test research centre Thatcham in Berkshire. Its spokesman said: “The position of your headrest is critical. The top of it should be level with the crown of your head, and tilted forward.” Some new cars come with anti-whiplash features which allow headrests to shift into an optimum position on impact. Visit its website (www.thatcham.org) to help choose the right model.