What is the primary benefit of wearing seat belts?

The primary benefit of wearing seat belts is that they keep you safe by counteracting inertia. In the event of a sudden stop or collision, your body tends to continue moving forward due to inertia, which is the tendency of an object in motion to remain in motion unless acted upon by an external force. Seat belts provide that external force by restraining you and preventing your body from being thrown around inside or ejected from the vehicle. This significantly reduces the risk of injury or fatality in crashes by keeping occupants securely in their seats and ensuring that they are properly positioned to benefit from the vehicle's safety features, such as airbags. Understanding this key point emphasizes the crucial role seat belts play in passenger safety and the effectiveness of vehicle design in protecting occupants during accidents.