A method for detecting rollover occurrences in a motor vehicle and activating appropriate restraining devices, the rate of rotation of the vehicle about at least one axis of rotation, in particular its longitudinal axis and/or its transverse axis, being measured with the aid of at least one rotation-rate sensor, and evaluated. The translational acceleration of the vehicle is considered in evaluating the rotation-rate sensor signal, in order to prevent malfunctions of the rotation-rate sensor caused by extreme translational accelerations from erroneously triggering restraining devices for a rollover event.