Trusted Saskatoon Auto Repair Expert 

Tip on How to Properly Adjust Your Head Restraint: 

Most people don't give head restraints a second thought when climbing into a car, and even fewer would count them as a safety feature. But think again. Head restraints don't just hinder rear visibility and give you a comfortable place to rest your head; they play an important role in protecting the head and neck in a crash and help prevent injuries like whiplash.

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Whiplash head and neck injuries most often occur in rear-end collisions and a National Highway Traffic Safety Administration study estimates that between 1988 and 1996 there were 805,581 whiplash injuries each year. When a car is hit from behind, it is pushed forward, causing the seatback to push against the occupant's torso and move the torso forward as well. As a result, an unsupported head lags behind the torso until its neck can catch up and then whip the head forward.

According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, neck sprains and strains are the most frequently reported insurance claim injuries, and the agency puts the cost of these claims at around $8.8 billion each year, or 25 percent of the total dollars paid for all crash injuries combined.

"People can experience severe crashes with no neck injury if there is little or no movement of the head relative to the torso," IIHS said in a statement.

NHTSA began mandating head restraints in the front outboard seats of all new cars in 1969; it extended the mandate to pickups, vans and SUVs in 1991. Automakers are not required by law to include them in the backseat, however.

So, head restraints are in just about every car on the road today, but how do you make sure you're getting the most out of them? The following are tips on how to properly set and adjust your head restraint from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety:

Head restraints should be positioned high enough to support the head so as to minimize neck distortion.

Adjust the head restraint so that it's even with the top of your head. If it won't reach the top of your head, make it as high as it will go. For people on the short side, no adjustment from the lowest setting is needed. If it's higher than the top of your head in the unadjusted position, that's OK, too.

To minimize neck travel in an accident, the distance from the back of the head to the restraint should be as small as possible — preferably less than 4 inches. 

Adjusting your seat's recline angle could help shorten the distance between the head restraint and your head.

Check out listings in Saskatoon Tires and Saskatoon Auto Repair & Service on the Saskatoon Directory of excellence 

What can you expect when you deal with the professionals at Preferred Collision and Glass Saskatoon? More than you thought! 

First, expect big cost savings! 

You can also expect Seamless quality repairs! A faster turnaround for your vehicle (on average 25% faster!!) & Assistance dealing with insurance! 

You'll find quality at every price point - from a few hundred dollars to a thousand or more. It's up to you.

Trusted Saskatoon Auto Body experts in collision repair and auto paint!  

Preferred Collision and Glass shares a tip on What to do when you are in a Collision: 

When experiencing a collision, sometimes life can become very stressful and overwhelming when you are least expecting it to. 

Sometimes they can occur when driving conditions are poor, such as when the roads are icy when there is black ice present, and when there is a snowstorm, or when it is very windy.

When traffic collisions seem to happen so quickly, it can be hard to recall the details later. 

The most important thing to do in the case of a traffic collision is to remain calm, although sometimes this is a task that is easier said than done. If someone is hurt, if you think any other driver may be guilty of a Criminal Code offence, such as drunk driving, or if there is significant property damage, you must always call the police.

In the case of an accident, if no one is hurt please try to move your car to the side of the road where it will not obstruct traffic. If your car is not mobile, turn on your hazard lights or use cones, flares, or warning triangles.

When the collision occurs, write down as much information as you can about the accident so that you don’t forget it when you are asked to repeat it later. When filing a claim with your local SGI insurance outlet, you will be asked at that time to recall details about the incident. While speaking with the other driver or drivers, if one or more was involved, write down their contact information, such as name, phone number, and address, as well as their insurance broker if applicable, and if there were any witnesses, write down their information as well. If you can, you may sketch the accident, noting the position and directions of the cars, or use a disposable camera if you have one.

Though it can be difficult and stressful to be in a car accident, remember that these accidents can and do happen to anyone. Always be vigilant and watchful of unsafe road conditions, and do not drive if you feel uncomfortable doing so.If you are involved in a collision, please call SGI. Once SGI has done all the preliminary paperwork,we can help you with all your collision repairs and needs. Please call us or simply bring your car down to the shop at 659 51st St E and we’ll handle the concerns of your vehicle. We can’t prevent an accident, but we can make your vehicle look like one never happened.

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What can you expect when you deal with the professionals at Preferred Collision and Glass Saskatoon? More than you thought! 

First, expect big cost savings! 

You can also expect Seamless quality repairs! A faster turnaround for your vehicle (on average 25% faster!!) & Assistance dealing with insurance! 

You'll find quality at every price point - from a few hundred dollars to a thousand or more. It's up to you.

Trusted Saskatoon Auto Body experts in collision repair and auto paint!  

Preferred Collision and Glass shares a tip on Icy Road Conditions:

This time of year, road conditions-in Saskatoon and rural Saskatchewan-can be very icy and sometimes, it can even be tough to walk on the road without slipping and falling. Imagine what being on the road with a car is like! A car is both fragile and rugged. One wrong move on an icy road without the proper winter tires might have you in a fender-bender (or the ditch), but as well, a car must be winterized to survive in harsh winter weather conditions.

Driving on interchanges require extra-special attention and focus while driving because these often get salted and sanded less frequently than other main roads. While driving on main roads, such as the downtown core, that are often frequented by pedestrians, take extra care and go slowly in these areas, as these are often the iciest of areas. Sometimes leaving a few minutes early for work in the morning will get you ahead of the morning traffic rush, but sometimes it’s also necessary, for driving slow on icy roads so you’re not in a collision.

When on an icy road, if you feel yourself start to skid, don’t brake and don’t panic. If it is slippery, make sure you pump your brakes, also called “threshold” braking, until you come to a complete stop. Trying to see where black ice is, which is invisible, can be hard to do, so please make an effort to drive slowly and carefully at all times. Remember that if you are in a collision to remain calm

If you are in a collision,  Preferred Collision and Glass will look after all your and your car’s needs, during and after, with our Customer For Life program. Give them a call or visit us at http://preferredcollisionandglass.com so that we can help you out and get you back on the road. Remember, we can’t prevent an accident, but we can make it like it never happened.

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