A method and apparatus is disclosed for controlling actuation of a passenger restraint system in a vehicle. The apparatus includes an accelerometer for providing a time domain vibratory electric signal having frequency components indicative of a vehicle crash condition. An A/D converter converts the accelerometer signal into a digitized signal. A fast Fourier transform device transforms the digitized time domain vibratory electric signal into a frequency domain signal. A correlator correlates the frequency domain signal and provides a signal indicative of the degree of correlation. A microcomputer monitors the correlation of the frequency domain signal and actuates the passenger restraint system when the correlation signal indicates a particular type of vehicle crash is occurring.