Control device for triggering a restraint system, especially for air bags

The airbag release system has a sensor device for directing a radiation beam into the automobile passenger space and detecting the reflected radiation via a number of sensor elements (26), providing signals which are evaluated by a control device for detecting the position of the passengers, for corresponding control of the airbag release. The individual sensor element signals are evaluated by comparison with defined criteria, e.g. maximum and minimum values, for elimination from the position evaluation when the latter criteria are not fulfilled.