What safety feature is essential for transporting passengers in a vehicle?

The essential safety feature for transporting passengers in a vehicle is seat belts for all occupants. Seat belts are critical because they provide a fundamental level of protection in the event of a collision. When properly fastened, seat belts help to secure passengers in their seats, minimizing movement during a crash and reducing the risk of serious injuries or fatalities. They are designed to prevent occupants from being ejected from the vehicle and to distribute the forces of a crash across the stronger parts of the body.

While airbags serve as supplemental protection for front seat occupants during a collision, their effectiveness is significantly enhanced when seat belts are also used. Headrests are important for reducing neck injuries in rear impacts, but they do not provide the same level of overall protection. Anti-lock brakes improve vehicle control during braking but do not directly protect passengers during a crash. Therefore, seat belts remain the foremost safety feature necessary for the protection of all passengers in a vehicle.