Year 10 Physical Science: Vehicle Safety: Rigid Safety Cell

Thus, the modern idea of "crumple zones" on cars. Crumple zones more allow the car to decelerate more slowly, and to spread the energy of the car in motion around to other structural components of the car. This, combined with rigid-body safety cells for the passengers, allows kinetic energy to go other places besides the human driver and passengers.

The safety cell is the space in your car containing the driver and passengers. It forms a rigid safety cage. In contrast to the crumple zones of the car body, which are rugged but ultimately deformable, it is not easily deformed. As a result, it is able to protect the survival space of occupants in accidents up to a certain severity of impact.

The Passenger Safety Cell or safety cage is the area of a vehicle's body that surrounds the passenger compartment and is strengthened or stiffened to provide extra protection for the occupants.
The passenger safety cell is a passive safety feature and works together with the crumple zones to protect the occupants of a vehicle in the event of an accident.
As the crumple zones absorb the forces of an impact, the safety cage is designed to remain rigid and not crumple around the passengers.