A vehicle roof having an opening, which can be closed or at least partially released by a roof element or which is closed by means of a glass hardtop element or a plastic hardtop element, as well as an emergency retaining device, which is deactivated during standard operation of the corresponding vehicle and which at least partially covers the roof opening during an accident, in particular when the vehicle is overturning, and which comprises at least one fabric, which can be folded and/or wound up, said fabric taking up a folded and/or wound-up storage position during standard operation of the vehicle and being pulled out by means of a driving device and being brought into a covering position during an accident so that the roof opening is at least partially covered by the fabric said driving device working independently of a signal from a sensor which detects the accident.