A system 18 for controlling a safety system of an automotive vehicle has a first controller 76 generating a first control signal, a second controller 78 generating a second control signal and an arbitration module 80 coupled to the first controller 76 and the second controller 78. The arbitration module 80 chooses the higher of the first control signal and the second control signal to generate a final control signal. The safety system 38 is coupled to the arbitration module. The safety system 38 is operated in response to the final control signal.