Abstract: A vehicle sensitive safety belt retractor is provided with actuating means responsive to acceleration of the vehicle for moving pawl means into engagement with ratchet means mounted on a belt strap reel of the retractor, and thereby preventing protraction of the belt. The actuating means includes mounting means provided with an arm, pendulum means having a cap in contact with the pawl means and freely suspended from the top of the arm and stop means associated with the arm for preventing horizontal displacement of the cap. Sliding friction, as well as entrapment of dirt particles and corroded material between the pendulum means and the top of the arm, is substantially avoided. The retractor is highly reliable in operation and inexpensive to maintain.