An electronic device includes an acceleration-sensitive sensor, an electronic circuit arrangement for analyzing the output signal from the sensor, an ignition output element, an ignition element, and a safety device for the vehicle's occupants. To test the operating readiness of the ignition element, an oscillator circuit is also provided, which applies an output signal to the ignition element. The resulting voltage drop obtained across the ignition element is compared by means of a window comparator to threshold values.