An occupant-protection system for vehicles, including: at least one sensor, which detects the surrounding area of the vehicle and generates sensor signals therefrom; an evaluation device, which analyzes the sensor signals, detects an approaching hazardous situation in advance according to an algorithm for the early detection of a hazardous situation and generates a trigger signal in this case; a seat-adjustment device having at least one actuator for adjusting a seat, the seat-adjustment device having a first speed for a comfort adjustment of the seat and a second, higher speed for the seating adjustment of the seat in response to triggering by the trigger signal. Also provided is a method for activating an occupant-protection system for vehicles.