A device is provided for predictively detecting and avoiding motor vehicle collisions, including a control device, a sensor system for sensing obstacles in the surroundings of the vehicle, and a signal transmitter system for audibly and/or visually signaling a significant risk of collision between the vehicle and an obstacle. In order to increase the field of application of such a device, the vehicle can be a utility vehicle, the sensor system being divided into a front sensor arrangement which is arranged in the region of the front of a vehicle, and a rear sensor arrangement which is arranged in the region of the rear of a vehicle. The front sensor arrangement is connected to the control device via a data bus, while the rear sensor arrangement is connected to the control device via a power line communication.