An energy absorber, comprising: a strap comprising: first and second lines of relatively decreased thickness and relatively reduced strength compared to portions of the strap not on the first and second lines, the first and second lines extending over at least a portion of the length of the strap and having a generally constant thickness over the length thereof, and a first transition region comprising a first initial point, where tearing begins along the first transition region when a force above a threshold force is applied, and a first end point, the first end point being in operative connection with a first point on the first line, so that tearing continues along the first line after tearing along the first transition region, a gradual increase in load occurring as tearing occurs along the first transition region, a thickness of the strap in the first transition region including a step change to a first initial thickness at the first initial point, and a generally linear increase over a length of the first transition region from the first initial thickness at the first initial point to a first end thickness at the first end point; and a second transition region comprising a second initial point, where tearing begins along the second transition region when a force above a threshold force is applied, and a second end point, the second end point being in operative connection with a first point on the second line, so that tearing continues along the second line after tearing along the second transition region, a gradual increase in load occurring as tearing occurs along the second transition region, a thickness of the strap in the second transition region including a step change to a second initial thickness at the second initial point, and a generally linear increase over a length of the second transition region from the second initial thickness at the second initial point to a second end thickness at the second end point; wherein the strap is a metal strap comprising a first end, a second end, and an intermediate section between the first end and the second end, the strap comprising a generally U-shaped slot passing through the strap in the first end that separates the first end into a first connector section and a second connector section, the first connector section and the second connector section being deformed to extend in different directions away from one another, a first connector passage being formed in the first connector section and a second connector passage being formed in the second section; and wherein the first transition region extends from the vicinity of a first end of the generally U-shaped slot to a vicinity of the first point on the first line, and the second transition region extends from a vicinity of a second end of the generally U-shaped slot to a vicinity of the first point on the second line. first and second lines of relatively decreased thickness and relatively reduced strength compared to portions of the strap not on the first and second lines, the first and second lines extending over at least a portion of the length of the strap and having a generally constant thickness over the length thereof, and a first transition region comprising a first initial point, where tearing begins along the first transition region when a force above a threshold force is applied, and a first end point, the first end point being in operative connection with a first point on the first line, so that tearing continues along the first line after tearing along the first transition region, a gradual increase in load occurring as tearing occurs along the first transition region, a thickness of the strap in the first transition region including a step change to a first initial thickness at the first initial point, and a generally linear increase over a length of the first transition region from the first initial thickness at the first initial point to a first end thickness at the first end point; and a second transition region comprising a second initial point, where tearing begins along the second transition region when a force above a threshold force is applied, and a second end point, the second end point being in operative connection with a first point on the second line, so that tearing continues along the second line after tearing along the second transition region, a gradual increase in load occurring as tearing occurs along the second transition region, a thickness of the strap in the second transition region including a step change to a second initial thickness at the second initial point, and a generally linear increase over a length of the second transition region from the second initial thickness at the second initial point to a second end thickness at the second end point; wherein the strap is a metal strap comprising a first end, a second end, and an intermediate section between the first end and the second end, the strap comprising a generally U-shaped slot passing through the strap in the first end that separates the first end into a first connector section and a second connector section, the first connector section and the second connector section being deformed to extend in different directions away from one another, a first connector passage being formed in the first connector section and a second connector passage being formed in the second section; and wherein the first transition region extends from the vicinity of a first end of the generally U-shaped slot to a vicinity of the first point on the first line, and the second transition region extends from a vicinity of a second end of the generally U-shaped slot to a vicinity of the first point on the second line.