What is the primary purpose of airbags in vehicles?

The primary purpose of airbags in vehicles is to provide cushioning during a collision. When a vehicle experiences a sudden impact, such as in a crash, airbags rapidly inflate to create a protective barrier between the occupants and the hard surfaces of the car, including the steering wheel, dashboard, and windows. This cushioning effect significantly reduces the risk of severe injuries by slowing down the deceleration of passengers and distributing the force of the impact over a larger area of the body.

The design and function of airbags are centered around increasing occupant safety in the event of an accident, making them a critical component in modern vehicle safety systems. Other options, while they may relate to vehicle design or performance, do not address the fundamental safety role that airbags play during collisions.