A device for driving mechanical safety systems. The device contains a housing in which at least one moving piston is arranged. The piston is connected to a first toothed rack and the first toothed rack is operatively connected to a pinion. A second toothed rack is arranged for movement in the housing. As a result, the second toothed rack is displaced in the opposite direction to the movement of the piston. The device has a locking lever and a shift claw. The shift claw is mounted on the second toothed rack and is arranged such that, on movement of the second toothed rack, the shift claw can actuate the locking lever. A locking bush secures the securing shaft to be driven. The locking bush is initially transferred to an unlocked position on movement of the toothed racks and is returned to a locked position on conclusion of the movement.