What is the primary purpose of wearing a seatbelt while driving?

Wearing a seatbelt is primarily designed to ensure driver safety in the event of an accident. When a collision occurs, seatbelts serve as a restraint that keeps the occupant secured in their seat, reducing the risk of injury or fatality. They help to distribute the forces of a crash across stronger parts of the body and prevent the occupant from being ejected from the vehicle, which can drastically increase the chances of survival.

While complying with the law and avoiding fines are important, they are secondary to the fundamental goal of protecting the individual in the vehicle. The protective function of seatbelts is supported by extensive research and statistics, showing a significant reduction in injuries and deaths among those who wear them compared to those who do not. As a result, the primary purpose of wearing a seatbelt is unequivocally focused on safety in case of an accident.