A method for activating a passenger safety application in a vehicle
involves a rotational acceleration sensor device which is used to obtain a
measurement of the rotational acceleration .alpha..sub.x of the vehicle,
e.g., about an axis of rotation x parallel to the longitudinal axis of the
vehicle. The results of this measurement are analyzed by a computing unit
for evaluating the vehicle situation with respect to its surrounding.
Activation of a suitable safety application is performed in the event that
the analysis indicates that a rollover event of the vehicle is imminent.
