a control system for an occupant restraint system for protecting a vehicle occupant in a vehicle collision . the control system comprises a vehicle deceleration sensor and a microcomputer which is programmed as follows : integration of a vehicle deceleration from the deceleration sensor is initiated to obtain the integrated value when the deceleration exceeds a threshold level . additionally , a time is timed until the integrated value exceeds a threshold value . then , an operating timing of the occupant restraint system is determined , while necessity of operation of the occupant restraint system is decided in accordance with the vehicle deceleration . when the necessity of the occupant restraint system operation is decided , the occupant restraint system is operated at the above - mentioned operation timing .