What is the primary purpose of the seatbelt?

The primary purpose of a seatbelt is to restrain passengers and minimize injury in a crash. Seatbelts are designed to secure occupants in their seats, preventing them from being thrown forward or ejected from the vehicle during a collision. This is crucial because, during impacts, the body continues moving at the vehicle's speed until stopped by an external force, which can lead to severe injuries.

Furthermore, seatbelts distribute the forces of a crash across the stronger parts of the occupant’s body, reducing the risk of injury to vital organs and enhancing overall safety. While comfort and police regulations may be factors to consider when using seatbelts, their fundamental purpose is focused on protecting passengers during vehicle accidents, making them a crucial component of vehicle safety systems.