Abstract:
A vehicle occupant protection device (30) and a method of controlling the protection device (30) are provided. The protection device (30) includes first and second seat belts (36 and 38) and first and second load limiters (86 and 88) that are associated with the first and second seat belts (36 and 38), respectively. The protection device (30) also includes at least one sensor for sensing a characteristic of at least one of the occupant (18) and of the vehicle (14). The protection device (30) further includes a controller (260) that is responsive to the at least one sensor for controlling the first and second load limiters (86 and 88).