Who is this for?

Agree.

Also people seem to think the head rests are there for you to constantly be resting your head on but they are head restraints.. They're there so you don't break your neck if you get in an accident - not to be comfy on a long drive.

I agree that the main reason for them is to prevent breaking your neck in an accident. But I have to ask... Why not make something that allows for both? Surely we can make something that helps ease our neck and shoulder muscles for long drives and prevent us from snapping our necks in a car accident from in front or back of us. No?
- Those exist in fancier cars. Recently rented a jaguar f-type for a weekend getaway road trip and we noticed after an hour or 2 that the headrests actually were functional and comfy. Why the hell that shape isnt used in a normal seat i have no idea.
- Idk I think because of how much force needs to be contained by the restraint it is rigid for a reason. My guess is there is an engineering reason based on physics.
  Also you don't want people to be falling asleep while driving (anymore than already happens) so maybe that's a factor too? Like it's not meant to be a pillow lol
It's there for me to use. How I use it is up to me.
You shouldn’t be pushing against it, but you shouldn’t be that far away from it either to prevent whip lash.
Any normal headrest can be angled almost vertically so it’s not like OPs picture. I wonder if op just doesn’t realize you can tilt them further forward and reset them.
- OP is making a joke, I'm sure they're aware headrests move and none actually look like the post lol.
Never knew this before. Thank you!
then why do some of them go so far forward? I'd love to rest my upper back against the seat every now and then, but that requires me to move my head forward like in the OP.
- Just because big automobile is out to get you.

That's to correct your posture, soon you'll have a mighty hump!

Car driver problems lmao. Just ride a dragon to work instead.

No way, I'm still picking scales out of my crack from the last time I gave that a shot

Every is talking about how the headrest it's made this way for crash safety when it's blatantly untrue.

The headrest is designed to protect the heads and neck of the average man, not woman. Decades of crash test dummies have all been modeled on the average height and weight of the male body. This is why women are 47% likelier to sustain a serious injury in a crash.

Think of the where the headrest is in the optimal position to protect the driver, and then move that a few inches lower. Adjustable headrest often doesn't even go low enough to accommodate for many women. There is an actual cutoff height where you are just screwed and expected to die more. Not to mention the user error of forgetting to adjust the headrest from the factory setting of accommodating to the average male height.

This is why so many people are curled up like a shrimp. They are either: short, a woman, or the statistically deadliest of all, both.

You're talking about the height of the headrest, not how far forward they go for some reason
- Also they contradict themselves
  The thesis is that it’s not for safety reasons then their proof is that safety tests are flawed
  This works against the thesis as the conclusion is that it is still done for safety but may not be safe
Oh it's 'blatantly' true that the headrest are for safety. The problem is engineers can't design a perfect one size fits all. So things are designed around averages. It's the best they can do.
If you fall outside of those averages at either end well, there is going to be more risk. As a male who is above average height, automotive headrests add more risk for me just as they do for a smaller woman.
- But they can make a headrests that do that. My car's headrests can tilt forward or back depending on your preference. And it was made in the 2010's, so it's not like this is a super old, or new, development.
  Making them adjustable makes the most sense as it allows people to adjust it to what they need, rather than just designing for the average person. The seats themselves are adjustable; you can slide them forward and back, up and down, some even tilt them forward or back. The headrests should be no different.
A head rest is designed to stop you getting whiplash. How does someone being shorter, make it more dangerous?
While I definitely think there's truth in what you say, I don't think it's the real reason. The posture car seats try to put you in is just not good sometimes. If the seat itself lets you sit up straight, the headrest juts out, or the headrest is okay but the seat is curved into a bowl. It's comfy for lazy sitting, which is what most people will want to settle into, but if you try to be mindful of your posture, you're doing it without real support from your seat.
- They really aren't primarily head rests, so comfort isn't the priority and my car's manual doesnt call them that.They're first and foremost head support for accidents.
Well there is that while I have also never seen a headrest that goes high enough for me.

I am very short, and sit up rather straight. My head hits what should be the most comfortable parts of every kind of seating in the most uncomfortable way. This is an accurate representation of the sensation, when curved neck portion ends up at top of your skull, and doubly so, if it's a bucket seat. Special cushions help, in certain vehicles, which can also alleviate the seatbelt going practically across your throat. Our old Outback is tolerable, which is lovely.

We have a couple IKEA Poang chairs at home, and I need to make pillow booster-seats for the damned things, or it's just this image, lol

I just bought a 2024 Prius and as a short person I can attest that it's the best short-people car I've ever had. While it does suffer from most of the issues you would assume from not testing with shorter dummies, those issues don't really get in the way like they do in other cars. The seat and headrest feel great, the seatbelt is adjustable on the side so it won't cut into your neck, and it's very easy to get in and out of. 10/10 car for us short people.
I'm tall and long in the torso. The last serious car accident I was in my head bashed against the ceiling in a frightening way. Or, it would have been frightening if I had any memory of it. I had a brush burn on my forehead which could only have happened if my head was pushed way back from hitting the ceiling. Before you ask, I always wear a seatbelt.
Anyway, that's not why I'm replying. I'm generally ok with car headrests, although I usually have to lean the seat back pretty far to just fit in.
I bought a new office chair. I specifically chose one without a headrest, but it showed up with one anyway. At it's highest adjustment it sits right between my shoulders.
The world seems designed to fit such a narrow range of people.
- Fact is, if you aren't in the central bell curve, then you aren't a profitable sector. Everything is tailored to the average these days in order to have the largest potential pool of customers from which to extract profit. If only one out of every ten people is tall enough to have problems with "regular sized" objects then that means only one out of every ten people are potential customers for your Big&Tall products. 99% of companies will elect to target the other 9/10 instead, even in a saturated market.
Yes those Poang chairs hurt my neck so bad, we had to get rid of it as it caused headaches whenever I sat in it. What about Airplane seats they also seem to push your neck forward in an in unergonomic way.
We have the Poangs as well, and I can't recline in them. The only comfortable position is to rip the cushion out and put it on the floor, and sit on the floor. >.<
I have the seatbelt cutting my neck problem too - and I'm not exactly short. :/

Crash test ratings probably.

So your neck doesn't whip back and keeps your spine in line.

I hate this so much

Many people dont realize you can pull them forward and they then pop back. Yours may have been pulled partially forward.

My car is great, modern, amazing battery life, affordable... It has a headrest like in the OP she it is fixed. Like fused with the seat.
The best bet is I'm quite tall, so it pokes me in the shoulder blades.
It sucks but, other that that, it was an amazing deal when I bought it.
- I'm sure you're aware, but that's pretty dangerous. You will most likely have pretty bad a neck injury if you get into a wreck. It might be worth upgrading the seat to one that fits you better.
- I don't understand buying a car that's physically uncomfortable to sit in.
  It's one thing if the seat is uncomfortable after a long drive; you'll never get that from a test drive. But this would be bugging me from the minute I sat down, and I'd never buy a car with that issue - no matter how cheap it is, I have enough neck problems without them being exacerbated by my car.

I don't think my head ever touches my headrest when I'm driving. Rarely, I'll lean back while sitting still, but that's the only time I'm ever even aware of it.

This is correct. The headrest is meant for you to bang your head on in frustration while stuck in traffic
- And doing so releases calming spores that manipulate your brain into thinking that driving is a good idea and that public transport is treason.

I hate those long distance busses. If you sit up straight, the headrest is in your back. If you slouch down to get your head at the headrest so you can get some rest, the question becomes where to put your legs without pain and discomfort.

Its even worse when you're taller than the designer expected and sitting up straight leaning back just means tilting my head backwards over the headrest.

Because you haven't adjusted it right?

I can move my headrest up and down, that's it.

Because head rests are not meant to be pillows. They're meant to cushion your head in a wreck and prevent injury from whiplash. I don't know the specifics but that's the gist. They're for safety, not comfort.

Though the one in the image looks particularly wrong lol.

It's not meant to be a pillow but it also shouldn't force your head forward at an unnatural angle just because you have decent posture. Car headrests are designed for hunchbacks.

Everyone should take this moment to consider correct posture.

One of the best pieces of advice I ever received was to change the angle of my rear-view mirror to remind myself to sit straight.

In essence, try to force the lowest part of your neck to touch the heighest point on the headrest.

Then notice how you cannot see out of your rear view mirror. Adjust it from this position, and get used to it.

It's gonna be weird for a while, but I assure you, this is what is best for your spine. I'll take your gratitude in advance, for when you're 80 and not folded over.

Best advice I ever received posture wise was to pretend my nipples were Lazer guns and try to shoot people in the face. I like to say pewpew in my head
- My nips are so pointy they practically shoot people in the face anyway.
- Ass down cock up tits out shoulders back
Mine forces bad posture. Sitting with an erect spine means my head is tilted steeply forward.
I have to lean the seat back until I'm not resting my back against the seat so there's less pressure in my neck. That means I'm not able to rest my upper back at all.
What i wouldn't give for 1cm of adjustment.
- It's not cheap but you can replace your seat.
- Now I'm curious what you're driving.
Hey I started doing that! Kinda helps

Car head rests, couches, waiting room chairs. This world was not built for tall people

Or short people. Only the average thrive.
- Short people have the ability to curl into any little space though.

Life Pro Tip:

Take them off and turn them around, so they point backwards.

Thats what i‘ve done.

Just take them off at that point, if your neck is gunna break anyway might as well go for the gold.
I feel like that's probably not safe?
- It isn't safe, but its better than taking it off entirely.
  Anyone who's above average height or buys one of the mega cursed headrests that sticks out 4" is not keeping that thing in its factory state. If nothing else you'll injure your neck from the constant contortion.
- safety second, comfort first

Well it fits my posture perfectly 🤷‍♂️

It’s designed to be slightly uncomfortable to keep people from falling asleep at the wheel.

Now explain the passenger seat
- It's a seat for a person to sit next to the driver, but that's not important right now.
- Cheaper to design one seat and use it for both spots
That’s what I believe it to be. I adjusted it to lean back and it was too comfortable to drive.

Same thing on planes.

"They need something to rest their head on!" --> adds something that nobody asked for and nobody needs --> "I'm helping you :) "

Exactly! They are the absolute worst on long flights. I can manage the limited leg room. But why the fuck does my head need to be pushed 2 inches ahead of my back and shoulders? And why can't those flaps on the side of the head rest be more substantial so you can rest your head to either side at least? My strategy has been to lift the headrest as high as it will go, and usually I am short enough for it to clear my head so I can have some semblance of comfort.
- holy shit you can lift them

My wife's RAV4 is like this. Long drives are torture after a few hours. My neck, shoulders, and back end up in knots.

- Same I have been removing the headrest in my wife's car whenever I'm the one driving. It's the whole posture, but the ponytail makes it worse. If I really -honestly- try and fit into the seat shape, my head is tilted so low I'm looking down at my feet. It's ridiculous

Often my hair is in a ponytail and it does make it impossible to drive comfortably. Like I have to leave my hair down and windows up to drive comfortably.

Hmm.. Maybe we need a split headrest. Kids having something fun to pull on is another consideration.
Changing hair styles specifically for the car reminds me of some emergency responders who were talking about the horrific crash scenes where people wearing plastic hair claw clips that broke apart and become shrapnel or the clip simply lodging in the skull through blunt force contact (usually) with the headrest.
You could try wearing it low/loose at the base of your neck if your hair is long enough. That might help some.

Does anyone else have the opposite problem? I feel like head rests are always too far back. If I place my head flat against them then more often than not I'm in an uncomfortable driving position because my neck is tilted back and up. I have to lean forward to drive most cars and it really annoys me.

Edit: I'm starting to think that a lot of you drive with the seat in an upright position. I sit at a slight recline because it's easier on my back. Maybe that's the problem. Try reclining more.

No. That's crazy talk.
I had a driving safety instructor tell me that's on purpose, and they are not comfort, but safety devices, and you should not drive while leaning against it.
The seat should support your full back, but the headrest should be a few centimetres behind your head so you can still look around, but it can lessen the effects of whiplash.
Perhaps you live in a place with different vehicle safety requirements. In the US, uncomfortable forward-tilted headrests are mandated by the federal government.
- I'm in the US.
Older cars were like that, but more recently usually have headsets that can adjust forward and back
- Define "older". I've never owned a car newer than 10 years old, and plenty of 10-15 year old cars have this problem.

This bothers me so much. I know the idea is that if I get rear-ended it would help prevent whiplash. But it feels so uncomfortable that I tilt the seat back. This defeats the point of the headrest and I am sure other saftey features. But if I didn't I would be constantly annoyed and distracted. That would increase my odds of getting into a forward facing accident.

Also office chairs with headrests, for whatever reason.

If I reclined the seat I wouldn't be able to see out! I add a 2 inch cushion just to prevent the seatbelt from sliding up and crushing my windpipe. And I have to drive with my fingertips and toes to prevent the airbag from killing me.
Why is everything designed for a 6 foot man when more than half of drivers who spend a lot of time on the road are women? Why has there not even been a proper female crash dummy? I drive a minivan because it's adapted to my husband's wheelchair. But even regular cars have similar misfits.

Pressing brake:

Make it slow.

Take them all the way out, and flirt it around.

Or see if it moves

Okay so I think some people might need a course on why headrests are designed this ungodly way...
during a rear-end collision or sudden braking as the vehicle makes a sharp forward-backward movement. Without the angled headrests, passengers may suffer spine misalignment of spine-related injuries due to sudden movements. The headrests also keep the spine in position with its “forward-looking” design. This stops the pain and other symptoms associated with a misaligned spine.
- So.....I should turn my headrest back around, huh?

Ask Will Toledo.

Either it is not set right or your head is too long.

Yeah, this is how you are supposed to sit.

They shouldn't be uncomfortable. Make sure you've set them correctly.

I always lower the back of the seat as much as possible and raise the front as much as possible so I'm planted in the seat. I can pick up both get without sliding out of the seat. Then I recline a little bit so I can rest my head comfortably. I have seen those more modern headrests that seem to stick way out from the seat. Not sure who those are for.

Just tilt the seat back a bit more?

I am in this picture.

(really need to work on my posture.)

My mom used to have a car like this. I would remove the head rest every time I had to ride in it.

That is extremely dangerous and stupid.