Growing up around a shop where we did frame straightening in the days before collapsible steering columns and seat belts was a real eye-opener. Cars with relatively minor sheet metal damage had head-sized bulges and even holes in shattered windshields and incredible bloodstains inside. The wreck rebuilders used to hose out the gore, install some new sheet metal, and resell the cars. Now the cars sacrifice themselves to protect the passengers. I've seen more than one steering wheel with the spokes bent and a bloody hub where it was obvious the driver had died, or at least had been seriously injured. Precaution number one- - - -install a seat belt/shoulder harness system. It takes a massive crash to push the steering column back far enough to injure a driver who is restrained properly. That's also a lot less work than redesigning the steering column with a collapsible section.
Jerry
