A safety device (1) for motor vehicles is described which takes up the forces produced by collision of a knee against a glove compartment. To achieve this, a transverse support (7) is arranged at the same height as a knee impact element (3) and is therefore loaded without torsion. In addition, the side cheeks of the glove compartment form intermediate elements (2a) for the transmission of force from the knee impact element (3) to the transverse support (7). The latter can be fixed so as to be free to a substantial extent in its position in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle by being fixedly bound to a bow (5) which is horizontally banked. The deformation behaviour of the safety device (1) can be specifically influenced by the length of the intermediate elements (2a). <IMAGE>
