A piezoelectric vehicle impact sensor which is responsive to changes in the vehicle's velocity caused by particular impacts upon the vehicle from predetermined directions relative to the vehicle. A piezoelectric crystal which has a sensitive axis is firmly attached within the vehicle. A mass is mounted within the vehicle for compressing the crystal along the sensitive axis in response to an impact from the predetermined directions, thereby causing the crystal to generate a voltage as a function of the impact. A voltage limiter limits the amplitude of the voltage to a predetermined level. An integrating circuit receives the voltage from the voltage limiter and produces a signal which is an integral of that voltage. A detecting circuit is responsive to a particular value of the signal from the integrating circuit for activating an apparatus such as an inflatable passenger restraining system.