Safety belts are very important protection in all accidents including side impacts.
Each of us should use both the lap belt and the shoulder belt. Airbags provide protection in head-on collisions, and child safety seats are good for use with grandchildren who are not old enough or large enough to correctly fit in your car's safety belts. The safest place for children under 12, whether wearing a safety belt or in a car seat, is always in the back seat. If you are a pet owner, you should even consider buying a pet safety belt at a pet store or auto parts store. During a crash your unbuckled pet, in addition to suffering injuries, can also by its movement harm you or other passengers.