A device and a method for triggering at least one deceleration device and/or one output-determining actuator element of a vehicle propulsion system, in particular for automatic longitudinal vehicle regulation, a first surroundings sensing device being provided, which delivers longitudinal value-optimized measured values, a second surroundings sensing device being provided, which delivers object lateral dimension-optimized measuring values, and an analyzer device being provided, which receives the output signals of the first and second surroundings sensing devices and the measured values of the first and second surroundings sensing devices being used for object identification. The device and the method are furthermore suitable for initiating or performing vehicle deceleration for collision avoidance or for alleviating the severity of a collision.