Disclosed is a method for detecting a direction of travel in a vehicle with a protection system which avoids accidents. When an object is detected in front of the vehicle in the direction of the vehicle and contact between the vehicle and the object is possible, the method triggers a driver-independent braking and/or steering process to prevent contact with the object. In order to avoid incorrect triggering of the protection system, the method further provides that the driver-independent braking and/or steering process is prevented or aborted if reverse travel is detected.