Abstract: A safety device for a motor vehicle, includes an active headrest which is provided on a backrest of a vehicle seat and a control unit which actuates a headrest-deployment device as a function of the evaluation of the signals from a crash sensor when an accident event occurs such that the active headrest is deployed into a headrest position which is optimum in terms of occupant safety. The control unit actuates at least one component of the vehicle seat as a function of the evaluation of data which is relevant in terms of driving safety before the expected accident event occurs such that the vehicle seat is moved to an optimum starting position for deploying the active headrest when the accident event occurs.