Abstract: The invention relates to a method for managing collisions in a wireless detection system, wherein a plurality of portable receivers and at least one transmitter/receiver unit mounted on a vehicle are provided. Communication is of the intermittent type due to an on/off cycle. Sent call messages are first confirmed by a quittance device associated with the detection zone by means of a quittance report. The receivers respond to a received call message with an availability message that identifies the respective receiver. Before a message is sent, it is checked whether the radio medium is available. Collisions that occur are recognized by the absence of the quittance report. Communication is resumed by sending further messages at fixed intervals or at intervals that are determined by a random number generator. The inventive method provides for a complete detection of the portable receivers even when the ranges of detection overlap. The on/off cycle can be adaptively adjusted.