Abstract: A method and a device for automatic triggering of deceleration of a vehicle for preventing a collision is described; this is accomplished by the fact that a variable, which represents a probability of collision with another vehicle, must exceed a predefinable threshold value, and the threshold value is variable as a function of the driver's response, the current driving situation, or the ambient situation. To determine the change in the threshold value, signals from a steering angle sensor, a brake pedal sensor, an accelerator pedal sensor, a device for determining the speed of the vehicle, a device for determining the uphill or downhill slope of the road, a device for determining the vehicle yaw rate, a device for determining the vehicle float angle or a device for detecting stationary and moving objects in the vicinity of the vehicle, in particular in the area in front of the vehicle, are analyzed.