OCCUPANT PROTECTION APPARATUS FOR VEHICLE

An occupant protection apparatus for a vehicle includes a door sensor that detects a defamation of a side door in a side collision and an occupant position detection sensor that detects a lumbar position of the occupant. A pretensioner is activated when it is determined from detection by the door sensor and the occupant position detection sensor that an intruding-object collision rear-end position in the side door is located in front of the lumbar position, and the pretensioner is prohibited from activation when it is determined that the intruding-object collision rear-end position is not located in front of the lumbar position. When there is a possibility that a clearance between the lumbar of the occupant and the deformed side door is insufficient, the pretensioner is prohibited from activation to allow the occupant to move at the early stage of a collision.