Abstract: A protective system for protecting a motor vehicle driver against an assault or threat of violence by a passenger, comprises: a discharge electrode disposed on the vehicle seat to be occupied by such passenger, and exposed for contact by the passenger when sitting on the seat; a high voltage generator connected to the discharge electrode; and an electrical switch actuated by the driver for energizing the electrode. The protective system further includes an arrangement for protecting also against intrusion of the vehicle, and a mode selector switch effective to select either an assault-protection mode or an intrusion-detection mode.