A motor is controlled by a motor control signal so that it reaches a target state, which is derived from sensor data sensed by a sensor. The motor can be put into a rest state at the occurrence of an error in simple and efficient manner by means of a safety means generating an alternative motor control signal at the occurrence of the error. Thus, the underlying idea is, instead of redundantly embodying components, to consciously accept a failure and integrate a corresponding fall-back solution into the overall concept. The failure is detected, and the motor is switched off in a user-manageable manner by a targeted shutdown.