What is the primary purpose of the seatbelt?

The primary purpose of a seatbelt is to protect the occupants of a vehicle during a crash by preventing them from being ejected from their seats. In the event of a collision, a seatbelt helps to restrain the body, reducing the risk of serious injury or death. By keeping occupants securely in place, seatbelts also help in absorbing the forces generated during an accident, allowing the body to decelerate more gradually rather than being thrown forward or sideways.

While the other options touch on aspects related to comfort or aesthetics, they do not capture the critical safety function that a seatbelt serves. Airbags, while important for safety, work in conjunction with seatbelts; however, the primary role of a seatbelt remains to ensure that drivers and passengers remain in their seats and are properly positioned for the airbags to be effective.