How should safety belts be worn for maximum effectiveness?

Wearing safety belts securely and across both the lap and shoulder is the most effective way to protect yourself in the event of a collision. This positioning helps to distribute the forces of a crash more evenly across the stronger parts of the body, reducing the risk of injury. The lap portion of the belt should be low across the hips, and the shoulder belt should cross the chest and rest snugly against the body. This proper wearing method keeps the occupant securely in their seat and prevents excessive movement forward, which can result in serious injury during a crash.

The other options suggest wearing the belt loosely or only in certain circumstances, which compromises safety. A loosely worn belt may not adequately restrain a person during an impact, while the limitations of wearing a safety belt only in the front seat or only when passengers are present neglect the importance of safety for all occupants in the vehicle, regardless of their seating position. Proper seat belt use is critical for everyone in the vehicle to minimize injury risks in any accident situation.