Method and device for initiating and executing a deceleration of a vehicle

A method of triggering and implementing a deceleration of a vehicle to at least one of avoid a collision and reduce severity of an impact with a object, the method comprising:

• detecting an object in a sensor detection range using a device for adaptive cruise control of the vehicle;
• determining measured variables for the detected object;
• assigning the detected object to one of a plurality of object classes on a basis of the measured variables for the detected object;
• predicting movement trajectories for the detected object on a basis of the assignment of the detected object to the one of the plurality object classes;
• determining a collision risk on a basis of the predicted movement trajectories and the assigned object class of the detected object;
• determining an injury risk is on a basis of the predicted movement trajectories and assigned object class of the detected object;
• and
• activating deceleration devices of the vehicle in an event of at least one of a preselectable collision risk and a preselectable injury risk.