A method and an apparatus for estimating a friction coefficient in a moving vehicle analyze image data from a forward-looking vehicle camera to produce a camera friction coefficient μk, and analyze tire slip and tire vibration based on a wheel speed signal to produce a wheel friction coefficient μw. The camera and wheel friction coefficients are both considered to produce a proactive estimated friction coefficient that is primarily based on the camera friction coefficient μk, whereas the wheel friction coefficient μw is taken into account to check plausibility of the camera friction coefficient μk.