A battery disconnection system (10) comprising a first electrical conductor (12) electrically connectable to a terminal of a battery; a second electrical conductor (16) electrically connectable to an electrical load (18); a first electrical contact (22) attached to the first electrical conductor; a second electrical contact (24) attached to the second electrical conductor; electrical connecting means (22) reciprocally movable in an axial direction (A) between a first position in which the connecting means electrically connects the first and second contacts and a second position in which the first and second contacts are disconnected; electric drive means (26) for moving the connecting means from the first position to the second position on receipt of a predetermined signal. The predetermined signal may be generated by a crash sensor, anti-theft device, or other adverse condition sensor, or a manually operable switch.