A computer-implemented method for controlling a vehicle. The method monitors one or more characteristics of one or more users within the vehicle, and compares the one or more characteristics of the one or more users with one or more corresponding baseline characteristics of the one or more users. The method further determines, based on the comparison, that a difference between the one or more characteristics and the one or more corresponding baseline characteristics of the one or more users exceeds a threshold value, and performs a controlling action associated with the vehicle, wherein the controlling action may be taking a higher level of autonomous control over the vehicle; varying speed and handling of the vehicle; and overriding the one or more characteristics of the one or more users in order to avoid an accident.