A method and an arrangement for the open-loop and/or closed-loop control of the engine power of an internal combustion engine of a motor vehicle is suggested. For checking a safety function, the arrangement intervenes in the fuel metering in the sense of reducing engine speed when an operating condition critical to safety is present. This safety function is triggered in the overrun operation of the internal combustion engine independently of the safety condition and the correct performance is checked. The safety function is detected as being defective when a unlimited metering of fuel takes place in this operating condition when the safety function is triggered.