Why are modern vehicles designed to crush during a crash?

Modern vehicles are designed to crush during a crash primarily to absorb kinetic energy. This design feature is critical because it helps protect the occupants inside the vehicle. When a vehicle crashes, it experiences a sudden deceleration, and the kinetic energy generated by the impact can lead to severe injuries.

The crumple zones, areas of a car that are intentionally designed to deform and crumple, dissipate this energy before it reaches the passenger compartment. By absorbing and redirecting the energy of the collision, these zones effectively reduce the amount of energy transferred to the people inside the vehicle, thereby minimizing the risk of injury. This approach reflects a crucial aspect of automotive safety engineering, where the focus is not only on the structural integrity of the vehicle but also on passenger safety during an accident. This explanation highlights the importance of design features in modern vehicles that prioritize the well-being of individuals inside the car during a crash.