In a sudden stop, seat belts primarily help by preventing your body from continuing forward during a crash.

• A. Slowing your body to a stop in step with the car
• B. Preventing your body from continuing forward during a crash
• C. Keeping you upright
• D. Reducing the need for airbags

Answer: (B)

When a crash happens, your body wants to keep moving forward because of inertia. A seat belt acts like a tether, stopping that forward motion relative to the car. By restraining you in the seat, the belt prevents you from colliding with the interior or being ejected, and it helps airbags cushion you properly because you stay in the correct position.

That’s why the option describing preventing your body from continuing forward during a crash is the best. The other statements aren’t as accurate: a belt doesn’t primarily slow you to the same speed as the car, it restrains forward motion; keeping you upright isn’t its main purpose, and wearing a belt doesn’t reduce the need for airbags.