Why are steering columns designed to be collapsible?

Steering columns are engineered to be collapsible primarily for safety reasons, specifically to protect the driver during collisions. In the event of a frontal impact, a collapsible steering column can absorb energy and reduce the risk of injury by allowing the column to compress rather than remaining rigid. This design feature helps to minimize the risk of the steering wheel intruding into the driver's space, which can cause serious harm.

The other options suggest benefits that are not as relevant to the primary purpose of a collapsible steering column. For example, while maintenance costs and steering precision are important aspects of vehicle design, they do not directly relate to the collapse feature, which is specifically aimed at enhancing occupant safety in crash scenarios. Improvements to vehicle aesthetics are also unrelated, as collapsible columns are designed with functionality and safety as the priority rather than visual appeal.