A method for vehicle-sensitive actuation of a locking mechanism for a seatbelt retractor in a vehicle by means of a actuation signal that is generated by a control unit equipped with a microcontroller. Measured signals are transmitted to the control unit from several sensors that detect the vehicle situation. The actuation signal is suppressed when a suppression algorithm in the control unit determines that the seatbelt is not in use, that the vehicle is standing still, that the vehicle speed is not above a certain limit value, or that only the vehicle acceleration measured in the vertical direction exceeds a certain triggering limit value.