A method is proposed for activating at least one security means (FDR, PS1), which comprises a first step of acquiring at least two features (M1, M2, M3) from at least one signal of an accident sensor system, in order to calculate a feature vector from the acquired features (M1, M2, M3). Subsequently, in a second method step, a classification of the calculated feature vector is performed with the aid of a classifier (MSVM) on the basis of the statistical learning theory, in order to classify the feature vector in one of at least three possible feature classes (K1, K2, K3). An activation of the security means (PS1, FDR1) according to an activation guidelines (T1, FLIC1, T2, T2, FLIC2) for the feature class (K1, K2, K3) in which the feature vector was classified is provided as a third method step.