Which statement accurately describes seat belts' effectiveness?

Seat belts have been proven to be effective in saving lives across all types of crashes, not just specific situations like freeway accidents. Their primary function is to keep occupants securely in their seats during a collision, significantly reducing the risk of serious injury or fatality regardless of the crash's speed or location. The data consistently shows that wearing a seat belt can reduce the risk of dying in a crash by around 45% for front seat passengers and even more for rear seat occupants when they are buckled up.

While some might mistakenly believe that seat belts are only important on highways or for certain passengers, their life-saving effectiveness is universal in vehicle crashes. Short drives can also involve sudden accidents, and wearing seat belts is just as crucial in these situations to prevent injuries. Thus, the correct understanding is that seat belts provide protection in every driving scenario, making them an essential safety feature for all passengers in a vehicle.