Last updated 13:32, Monday, 17 November 2008

Badly-fitted head restraints in cars and increased tailgating is making the UK the whiplash capital of Europe, insurers say.

Claims for motor-accident whiplash injuries have risen by a quarter in the last five years and are now costing nearly £2 billion a year in compensation, according to the Association of British Insurers (ABI).

Every day nearly 1,200 people claim for whiplash injuries and insurance bosses say measures need to be taken to reduce this figure.

The association also revealed that more than 430,000 people claimed for whiplash in 2007, up by a quarter in the last five years.

Treating whiplash injuries now costs the NHS approximately £8 million a year in consultation fees.

A total of 75 per cent of UK motor personal injury claims are for whiplash, compared to an average of 40 per cent throughout the rest of Europe.

And ABI say that 75 per cent of drivers are unaware how head restraints should be correctly positioned.

Director general of ABI, Stephen Haddrill called for action.

He said: “Whiplash imposes unacceptable costs to individuals, businesses and the state. Insurers want to reduce whiplash, provide fast care and compensation and tackle fraudulent claims. But we cannot do this alone.

“We call on the Government, road safety groups, the medical and legal professions and other stakeholders to work with us on a campaign to reduce this problem.”