METHOD FOR PREVENTING NON-DEPRESSION OF AIRBAGS BY SHORT CIRCUITING OF OTHER AIRBAGS

The invention relates to a method for operating a safety-related control device for vehicles, in particular for an airbag control device. The control device has a power reserve and receives signals from sensors and/or other systems. It has a first and a second operating state. The power consumption of the safety-related control device is quantitatively higher in the first operating state than in the second operating state. The method comprises detecting a safety-critical event on the basis of the signals from the sensors and/or from the other systems, followed by switching over to the second operating state if a safety-critical event occurs, and performing the safety-related function of the safety-related control device in the second operating state. The special feature is that the safety-related control device is supplied with power from the power reserve if the safety-related control device is in the second operating state, and therefore the solution reduces or avoids the potentially safety-critical ground offset.