What is the purpose of seatbelts?

The primary purpose of seatbelts is to restrain occupants and reduce the risk of injury in the event of a crash. Seatbelts are designed to secure passengers in their seats, minimizing movement during sudden stops or collisions. This restraint system helps prevent ejection from the vehicle and significantly lessens the impact of forces experienced by the occupants.

By keeping passengers firmly seated, seatbelts play a crucial role in reducing the severity of injuries, often serving as the first line of defense against the forces generated in an accident. Studies and statistics consistently show that wearing seatbelts is one of the most effective means of enhancing safety in vehicles, making them a vital component of road safety measures.

Comfort, luggage security, or compliance with traffic laws—while they may have their own importance—do not constitute the primary safety role of seatbelts, which is to protect occupants during a collision.