Final answer:
The need to wear seatbelts is best explained by Newton's first law of motion, which is also known as the law of inertia. Option 1 is correct.
Step-by-step explanation:
The law that states the need to wear seatbelts can be best explained by Newton's first law of motion, which is also known as the law of inertia. According to this law, an object will continue to be in a state of rest or move at a constant speed in a straight line unless it is compelled to change by an outside force. This principle is fundamental in explaining why wearing seatbelts is necessary.
In the event of a sudden stop or collision, a seatbelt acts as the external force that changes the motion of the occupants of a vehicle, preventing them from continuing to move at the prior velocity of the car, which could result in injury or death.
Inertia is closely related to an object's mass, and in the context of a moving car, the passengers themselves have inertia. Without a seatbelt, passengers could be thrown forward continuously at the vehicle's last known speed upon sudden stopping due to inertia. This interpretation of Newton's first law thus implies that safety measures like the use of seatbelts are important in vehicles.
Moreover, government laws mandating seatbelt usage are developed to protect society from the consequences of accidents where individuals do not wear seatbelts and may become seriously injured, leading to long-term societal costs.
It implies that an object in motion remains in motion with the same speed and direction unless acted upon by an external force; this is why seatbelts are crucial for safety in vehicles, preventing injuries during sudden stops or collisions.