An occupant-restraining system has a belt force limiter that limits a restraining force exerted on an occupant via a restraining belt by switching from a relatively higher to a relatively lower level of restraining force depending on predefined parameters. The belt-force limiter is activated only after a predetermined forward displacement of the occupant is reached and only after a predefined air bag inflating time, when an excessive crash intensity and an occupant's weight are recognized as being below a predetermined threshold.