Crash protection system for a vehicle such as a passenger car, comprising at least one protective bar or beam (1) that is movably arranged in the car and can be moved from a first retracted position to a second extended position. The protection system is so designed that the movement of the bar or beam resulting from an incomplete/asymmetric pre-release of the bar or beam is used to release the bar or beam completely. The invention also relates to a method for releasing such a protective bar or beam. The system can be applied for roll over protection, front-, rear-, or lateral crash protection and as protection for pedestrians.