Year 10 Physical Science: Vehicle Safety: Collapsible Steering Column

A collapsible steering column is a mechanism that is used to transfer energy from the steeringwheel into the steering gear box, which transfers energy to turn the wheels of a vehicle.

Britannica entry explaining the physics of absorption.

The collapsible safety steering column consists of several mechanical components which, in the event of a frontal collision, ensure that the steering wheel cannot penetrate the interior of the car and the hazard zone of the driver’s head and thorax.

A collapsible support column may be bent and rotated in a car crash without affecting the central support column. As a result, it helps absorb the force of a crash, keeping the collapsible column straight and robust, protecting the driver and passengers from fatal injuries.