<br/>Systems and methods for controlling an autonomous vehicle are provided. In one <br/>example <br/>embodiment, a computer-implemented method includes receiving data indicative <br/>of an operating <br/>mode of the vehicle, wherein the vehicle is configured to operate in a <br/>plurality of operating modes. <br/>The method includes determining one or more response characteristics of the <br/>vehicle based at least <br/>in part on the operating mode of the vehicle, each response characteristic <br/>indicating how the vehicle <br/>responds to a potential collision. The method includes controlling the vehicle <br/>based at least in part <br/>on the one or more response characteristics.<br/></p>