Evaluation of the energy absorbing properties of the steering wheel assembly of a motor vehicle, or of the relative merit of alternative designs of such assemblies, is a complex problem involving human tolerance, vehicle and occupant dynamics during an accident, and frequency and severity of injuries to various body areas.

Two fundamental approaches are being used currently for steering wheel assembly evaluations: laboratory impact tests of varying degrees of complexity, and simulated collision tests. This SAE Recommended Practice describes a simplified laboratory procedure for evaluating the characteristics of steering wheel assemblies under simulated driver impact conditions. Basically, the test procedure employs a torso shaped body block which is impacted against the steering wheel assembly and the transmitted load-time history is measured.