Uncomfortable car seats are bad for your health, new research claims

Uncomfortable car seats are making drivers ill and costing the NHS almost £200 million a year in GP appointments and hospital visits. 

A survey by Volvo found that poorly adjusted or bad quality car seats are one of the key causes of back pain in the UK, with nearly a third of drivers saying it had forced them to see a doctor or physiotherapist over the past year.

>>> Baby & Child Car Seats: Use our Child Seat Chooser to find the perfect fit for your car

Volvo spoke to 2000 drivers and found that 12 per cent had taken up to two days off work for back pain from poor car seats over the past 12 months, while 13 per cent were forced to take up to four days of sick leave. Five per cent said they had to have a full working week off, while another five per cent asked for seven or more days of rest.

According to the Office for National Statistics, 68 per cent of the 32.4 million people employed in the UK use their car to travel to work and Volvo's research suggests that back pain caused by car seats could cost the UK economy up to £8.8 billion every year in lost productivity.

What's more, with the average cost of a GP visit to the NHS being £30, it's claimed that car-related back problems cost the NHS £191.94 million in GP appointments and hospital visits every year. 

How to get the perfect driving position

• The back of the seat should be reclined slightly, so that it feels natural and your elbows should be at a comfortable and relaxed angle for driving.
• Once you have adjusted your seat correctly, your hands should fall naturally on the steering wheel, with just a slight bend in the arms.
• Set mirror positions to suit you - they should allow you to see all around the car with the movement of your eyes with minimal head movement.
• Your seatbelt should always lie across the top of your shoulder and never rub against your neck or fall onto the top of your arm.
• Read the vehicle handbook - many people don't know the full extent of the adjustments available in their own car.