The invention relates to an active impact protection system (1) for a knee area and/or a lower leg area of a vehicle occupant in a motor vehicle, particularly in a passenger car. The impact protection system (1) comprises an impact element (2) that can be extended toward the vehicle occupant out of a passive position and into an active position by means of a drive device (4). A particularly advantageous design results when the impact element (2) is formed by a lid of a passenger-side glove compartment (3).