In a vehicle safety belt system a gripping means (16) is arranged at a webbing section (10) extending between a deflection fitting (12) and the belt retractor (14). In the rest condition the webbing is led freely between the oppositely disposed clamping elements of the gripping means (16). The gripping means (16) is connected via a pulling cable (38) to a pyrotechnic or mechanical belt tightener drive. Return blocking means are formed by a cylinder (44) attached to the vehicle bodywork and a piston (42) displaceable therein, whereby the cylinder wall is deformed plastically for absorbing load peaks.