Why is seat belt usage important for rear-seat passengers?

• A. They are always safe without belts.
• B. Rear-seat passengers can be ejected in a crash and belts reduce injury risk for everyone.
• C. Belts are optional for adults in the rear.
• D. Belts only matter for front seats.

Answer: (B)

Wearing a seat belt in the rear seat is essential because it keeps you in the vehicle and controls your motion during a crash. When you’re belted, the force of a collision is spread across your strongest body parts and you’re less likely to be thrown into the back of the car, into the front seats, or out of the vehicle altogether. Belts also help keep you in the right position so airbags and other safety systems can work as designed, providing protection where it’s most effective. Even if there are rear airbags, they’re not a substitute for a belt.

That’s why the idea that rear-seat belts aren’t necessary or optional isn’t supported by safety data. It’s the belt that prevents ejection and major injuries, and it applies to all passengers, including adults in the rear.