Abstract: An occupant safety device for automotive vehicles is proposed which saves mounting space and which is comprised of a roll bar (2, 33, 34) allowing both to be brought into its extended final operative position by a signal being generated in the event of severe impact by means of elastic prestressing means (13, 27) and to be adjusted into the extended final operative position or into the final lowered position by means of an additional drive (5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 17, 18), the movement of the roll bar (2, 33, 34) taking place substantially in a plane which runs at right angles relative to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle, and that at least one headrest (15) is provided at the roll bar (2, 33, 34).