What is the significance of adjusting your headrest?

Adjusting your headrest is primarily significant for preventing neck injury in the event of a collision. The headrest is designed to support the head and neck, particularly during a rear-end crash, where the seat and headrest alignment can significantly influence how much the neck is strained. If the headrest is too low, it may not adequately support the head, leaving the neck vulnerable to whiplash or other injuries when impacted from behind. Thus, having the headrest positioned correctly—ideally so that the top of the headrest is at least level with the top of your head and as close to the back of your head as possible—offers vital protection against such injury.

Other options, while possibly having their merits in different contexts, do not focus on the primary safety consideration associated with headrest adjustment.