Abstract: A vehicle occupant protection system (10) includes a sensor (16) which is effective to sense a distance between a vehicle (12) and an object (14) adjacent to the vehicle (12). The sensor (16) also is effective to provide a sensor signal (18) indicative of the distance between the vehicle (12) and the adjacent object (14). The system (10) also includes a length of seat belt webbing (26) extensible about an occupant (28) of the vehicle. An actuatable mechanism (22) is operatively connected with the webbing (26). The actuatable mechanism (22) is operable to effect a tightening of the webbing (26) around the vehicle occupant (28) upon the sensor signal (18) indicating that the distance between the vehicle (12) and the adjacent object (14) is within a predetermined distance.