Abstract: A protection device for the driver of a vehicle equipped with a dashboard and a steering wheel, in order to provide, on impact, a displacement of the steering wheel towards the dashboard, said steering wheel being mounted on a steering column passing under an instrument-carrying zone situated with regard to the steering wheel and connected to, but distinct from, the dashboard, said protection device comprising means for displacement of the instrument-carrying zone, the displacement means being adapted to move the instrument-carrying zone, on impact, in one of an upward vertical direction and in a direction having a vertical upward component, wherein the means for displacement of the instrument-carrying zone connect the steering column directly to said instrument-carrying zone, so that, on impact, said displacement of the steering column results in the displacement of the instrument-carrying zone along said direction.