I was doing some searches for articles about the Fit/Jazz and found this 2004 report that might be of interest to some. I have no idea if the headrests on the US version will be the same as the ones tested here...

http://www.testdriven.co.uk/news.cfm...oor_performers

here is a snip:

"Manufacturers are certain to be embarrassed with our findings - they will have to make significant changes if they wish to really protect people in a car crash."

Many major models widely regarded as "safe" were given a Poor Rating including:

BMW 3 series
Jaguar X-Type
Honda CRV
Toyota Corolla
Renault Clio
Citroen C2/C3
Mercedes C-Class
Honda Jazz
Landrover Freelander
VW Polo

 

Isn't whiplash associated with the headrests specifically-as opposed to the safety of the car in general? From my uinderstanding the Fit scored 4 or 5 stars for collisions..I would care more about walking away from a crash than dying without a sore neck.

 

Having been in a early (1976) Civic roll-over (off the edge of a road, down a hill and ending up driver side down, roof against a tree) with no injuries whatsoever I am not being super-critical of Honda's general safety record.

However, a neck injury can be bad news even in a minor rear-end collison...
I was hoping they have made some improvements since 2004.

 

Pretty much ANY car that doesnt have Active Head Restraints will score poorly with respect to whiplish-related injuries.

BTW the 06 Civic has Active Head Restraints and it is built with the ACE body structure.

The US Fit gets "adjustable head restaints"; it's better than a head rest but nowhere as good as a active restraint.

 

Just get headrest cushions. I got them.

 

If you get really paranoid about whiplash, you could always get a Hans Device, which is what race car drivers use. They work pretty well, especially in a crash...

 

Except that a Hans device is design to prevent basal fractures (hangman's fracture) caused extremely rapid deceleration of a racecar running into a wall at insane speeds. Basically your grape continues when everything else is stopped and your spinal cord tears away from the base of your skull (ouch!). Big Dale #3 famously said he wouldn't wear "that noose." It's rather ironic that is the exact injury that killed him and the Hans would have prevented it. Whiplash is caused by rapid acceleration when the idiot behind you plows into you because was concentrating on his phone call/pda/newspaper/makeup/screaming kids/etc, instead stopping for the red light. Your body is accelerated by the impact and your noggin lags behind. Hence the need for a well designed and properly adjusted headrest.

Sorry for the unsolicited and lengthy explanation, I'll shut it...

 

ARe whiplashes a big deal? or nothing more than a nuissance or discomfort?

 

Unfortunately, I am the only one in my family who isn't a doctor, but I seem to remember whiplash as being more of a muscular injury. Therefore probably not to serious, but one hell of a nuisance, I'm sure. I bet there are members of this forum who know a lot more about it than me.

Anyone?

 

Actually I enjoyed your unsolicited and lengthy explanation.

 

I was being a bit of a brat when I did my post about the Hans device. I am a drag racing fan, and the drivers also wear a "horse collar", which is to help the head not move in the event of a crash. The 2 devices seem to work well together. You mentioned deceleration. A Top Fuel Dragster is capable of 0-335 MPH in 4.4 seconds, and then going from 335 MPh to around 20 MPH in around 10 seconds. The drivers say stopping so quickly causes more stress on the body then the acceleration. I don't think anyone would want to drive around wearing all the safety equipment a race driver uses, but you gotta wonder sometimes when you see the results of car accidents.

 

If you're worried about whiplash, you could always walk...but then you might stub a toe.

 

I was on the elevator in my building with my helmet and riding gear. A guy asked if I rode a motorcycle, as though I just liked carrying that stuff around. When I replied in the affirmative, his comment was, "isn't that dangerous?" I just smiled as I thought to myself, "isn't getting out of bed everyday dangerous?" Bottom line: Everything is risk management.

 

^^Exactly.
Hell, an engine could fall off a jumbo jet and land in your room while you sleep.




lol

 

Thanks A-hole....now I'll never be able to get a good night's sleep again!!!

 

No problemo...anything I can do to be of assistance.

 

lol what a guy!