It is evident from this study that a good pad alone cannot make a rigid instrument panel safe, except during low speed impacts. In order to reduce head injury during higher speed impacts, the panel-pad combination should be designed so that a large volume, firm but flexible pad, with ample thickness in the direction of head swing, is backed by a yielding understructure of generous radius. When the head strikes this combination, the padding molds to the shape of the delicate facial bones to reduce localized pressure concentrations and soft tissue injury. By absorbing up to 100 foot-pounds of energy, the pad also blends the force build-up so that there is no sudden step-up in force level just before the panel itself begins to yield. If properly designed, the panel will yield several inches while maintaining a nearly uniform force level.