A method of actuating an external active safety system for a vehicle is used for cushioning the impact on the vehicle generated in an accident to effectively reduce injury and death as well as vehicle damage rates after an accident. The present invention mainly installs multiple sets of shock absorption devices (for example, airbags) outside the vehicle, for example, on front and rear bumpers, respectively, and the sets of shock absorption devices is able to function in advance in a segmental manner, so that the shock absorption devices installed outside the vehicle function before and during a collision in a segmental manner, so as to cushion an impact on the vehicle body when impacting or being impacted, and the shock absorption devices have an automatic release function, which, when activated, automatically releases an inflated condition of airbags in a very short time.