A safety belt apparatus for a vehicle, having a belt reel, a belt buckle, a belt redirection apparatus mounted on the B-post of the vehicle. The apparatus also includes, a belt-force limiter with a torsion bar and a belt tensioner. In the event of an accident, the belt tensioner is triggered, and pretorsioning of the torsion bar is simultaneously effected. The pretorsion is preferably brought about by the forces that arise during belt tensioning. The pretorsion allows for the force limitation to start at an optimum force level with regard to the retention force and the protection of the occupant.