Abstract: A side impact protection system for a vehicle is provided. The vehicle comprises a side impact zone and further comprises laterally spaced apart sills extending longitudinally of the vehicle. The laterally spaced apart sills have sill sealing flanges projecting vertically therefrom. The side impact protection system includes a continuous, linearly extending cross member disposed laterally in the vehicle for transferring load and redistributing energy away from an impact side of the vehicle. The linearly extending cross member extends between, and is in abutment with, the laterally spaced apart sills and the corresponding sill sealing flanges thereby allowing the linearly extending cross member to transfer load and redistribute energy immediately upon side impact of the vehicle.