How does collapsible steering work in a car?

Collapsible steering protects you during a a frontal collision and is in combination with what car-maker call "crumple-zones". The steering column, along with the hood and engine (other components included) crumple or easily collapse. This prevents any of these items from causing "cabin intrusion". Cabin intrusion can make deadly, a car accident that could have been walked away from.

collapsible steering absorbs the frontal collision enery rather than transfer of it.