The padding on the dashboard acts as a cushion, helping to slow the passenger's head or body down and reducing the force of the impact. This can significantly reduce the risk and severity of injuries, particularly head injuries. In addition to protecting passengers during frontal impacts, padded dashboards can also provide some level of protection in side-impact collisions, where passengers may be thrown sideways and strike their head against the dashboard.
Manufacturers design dashboards with a combination of soft materials, such as foam padding and synthetic fabrics, and rigid support structures to provide both cushioning and structural integrity. Some dashboards also incorporate energy-absorbing materials or crumple zones that further help dissipate impact energy.
Federal regulations in many countries require new vehicles to meet certain standards for dashboard padding and design to ensure occupant safety in car crashes. These regulations help ensure that dashboards provide adequate cushioning and meet performance requirements for impact absorption and occupant protection.
