What is the primary benefit of a seatbelt?

The primary benefit of a seatbelt is that it significantly reduces the risk of injury in a crash. When a vehicle suddenly stops due to a collision, the inertia of the passengers causes them to continue moving forward. Without a seatbelt, this force can lead to severe injuries as passengers can be thrown against hard surfaces within the vehicle or ejected from the car altogether. Seatbelts are designed to keep passengers securely in their seats, distributing the forces of a crash across stronger parts of the body, which minimizes the risk of serious injuries.

The other options do mention valuable points about vehicle operation and safety, but they do not capture the fundamental purpose of seatbelts in terms of protecting lives. While comfort or vehicle value might be considerations for drivers, they do not contribute to the primary function of a seatbelt which is to ensure the safety of the occupants in the event of an accident.