What is the purpose of crush zones in vehicles?

The purpose of crush zones in vehicles is to absorb impact during a collision. These specially designed areas are implemented in the structure of a car to deform and crumple in a controlled manner when a collision occurs. This design minimizes the force transferred to occupants, thereby enhancing passenger protection. The energy from the impact is dissipated through the deformation of these zones rather than being transmitted to the passenger cabin, which can significantly reduce injuries during an accident.

This feature is crucial in modern vehicle safety engineering, as it plays a vital role in crashworthiness—how well a vehicle protects its occupants in an accident. The effectiveness of crush zones is part of why many vehicles are equipped with advanced safety features and testing protocols that aim to ensure higher safety ratings.