An image processing device includes an onboard camera, an image recognition processor, an object recognition processor and an image-mode switching unit. The onboard camera captures an image ahead of a vehicle. The image recognition processor generates a distance image within an image recognition area on the basis of the captured image. The object recognition processor recognizes an object within the image recognition area and a distance to the object on the basis of the two kinds of images. The image-mode switching unit switches the image recognition area to be recognized by the object recognition processor. The image-mode switching unit checks whether a collision with a pedestrian is detected and an activation command signal is output to a pedestrian protection mechanism. When an output of the activation command signal is detected, the image-mode switching unit switches to a mode where an image area having no pedestrian protection mechanism is set as the image recognition area.