The invention relates to an adjustable safety steering column for a motor vehicle, comprising at least one clamping device (100) which, for the purpose of fixing the length of the adjustable steering column (10), has a torsion spring (130) which clamps a casing tube (110) for a steering shaft (110) at a position that can be adjusted by way of releasing the torsion spring (130), the casing tube being inserted in the clamping device (100). At least in the vicinity of one end of the torsion spring (130) at least one stop element (141, 142, 143) is arranged, against which the torsion spring (130) strikes during an axial displacement (V) of the casing tube (110) which is directed toward the receiving tube, whereby the coil of the torsion spring (130) assumes an oblique position, which can be limited. An adjustable crash function is thus implemented.