Final answer:
Safer cars are expected to lead to a decrease in driver fatalities due to the inclusion of features like crumple zones and airbags, which reduce the force of impact by increasing the time over which it acts.
Step-by-step explanation:
If safer cars significantly reduce the likelihood of fatalities in accidents, the expected effect on driver fatalities would be A) A decrease in driver fatalities. Safer car designs incorporate features such as crumple zones, airbags, and seat belts to absorb impact, distribute forces more evenly, and increase the time over which these forces act during a collision.
For instance, crumple zones are designed to absorb and redistribute the force of a collision, thereby increasing the time of impact which helps to reduce the risk of injury to the passengers. According to the principle of impulse, increasing the time over which a change in momentum occurs results in a decrease in the net force exerted on the occupants.
Consequently, these safety mechanisms contribute to protecting passengers and, therefore, should lead to a decrease in driver fatalities in the event of an accident.