Which statement about seat belts is true?

• A. They help you breathe better while driving
• B. They keep you safe and in your seat by counteracting the effects of inertia
• C. They slow the vehicle's braking time
• D. They cause more injuries during a crash

Answer: (B)

Seat belts keep you safe and in your seat by counteracting inertia. When a car stops suddenly, your body tends to keep moving forward at the car’s previous speed. A belt provides the restraining force that holds you in the seat, so you decelerate with the vehicle rather than continuing forward and colliding with the interior or being ejected. This helps distribute the stopping forces across safer parts of your body and reduces the risk of serious injuries. It doesn’t make you breathe better, it doesn’t slow the car’s braking, and it doesn’t cause more injuries—in fact, wearing a seat belt properly significantly lowers injury risk in a crash.