What is the main purpose of seatbelts?

The main purpose of seatbelts is to reduce the risk of injury in a collision. When a vehicle is involved in an accident, the sudden deceleration can cause unrestrained occupants to be thrown forward, potentially resulting in severe injuries or fatalities. Seatbelts are designed to keep occupants securely in their seats, which minimizes the risk of being ejected from the vehicle and limits the force experienced by the body during impact.

Seatbelts work by distributing the forces of a crash across stronger parts of the occupant's body, such as the chest and pelvis, rather than concentrating the force on more vulnerable areas. This safety feature has been proven to significantly reduce the likelihood of serious injury or death in accidents, making it a critical component of vehicle safety systems. Therefore, wearing seatbelts is a fundamental practice for ensuring safety while traveling in a vehicle.