Final answer:
Airbags are designed to reduce injuries during vehicle collisions and are considered safe, especially when used with safety belts. They have been mandatory in the U.S. since 1991, substantially improving passenger safety in car accidents.
Step-by-step explanation:
Airbags are integral safety components in modern vehicles, designed to minimize serious injuries to passengers during a collision. The primary function of an airbag is to enhance the protection provided by the seat belt, making it a safe addition to vehicle safety systems. When combined with seat belts, airbags distribute the forces experienced by passengers over a longer duration, effectively reducing the impact forces and thereby mitigating the potential for injury. Since being made mandatory in passenger vehicles in the United States from 1991, airbags have played a significant role in saving lives and reducing injuries in car accidents. Therefore, airbags are considered safe and are known to work best when used in conjunction with safety belts.