What is the primary function of airbags in a vehicle?

The primary function of airbags in a vehicle is to protect occupants during a collision. Airbags are designed to deploy rapidly upon impact in order to provide a cushioning effect for passengers, reducing the risk of serious injury during a crash. They serve as an additional layer of safety alongside seat belts, mitigating the forces experienced by the occupants. By inflating and creating a barrier, airbags help to prevent occupants from striking the interior of the vehicle, such as the steering wheel, dashboard, or windows, thereby lowering the likelihood of traumatic injuries.

The other options focus on functions that airbags do not serve. For instance, while supporting the driver’s head can occur if the airbag deploys in a certain way, that is not its primary purpose. Airbags do not influence vehicle fuel efficiency or improve stereo sound quality, as those functions pertain to entirely different vehicle systems unrelated to passenger safety during a collision.