Occupant position sensing system

An occupant position sensing system (10) incorporates first (12) and second (42) position sensors, wherein the first position sensor (12) senses the distance to the surface of an object and the second position sensor (42) senses the electric-field-influencing properties of the object for purposes of controlling the activation of a safety restraint system (38). In an exemplary system, the first position sensor (12) incorporates either an infrared beam or an ultrasonic beam as the sensing element, and the second position sensor senses the capacitance of a plurality of electrodes (46) for either disabling an air bag inflator (38) if the combination of the first and second position measurements of an occupant (24) is within a threshold, or for controlling a controllable air bag inflator (38).