A vehicle control apparatus comprising: a projection unit configured to project text or graphics onto a road surface; a sensor configured to detect an object in an area where the text or the graphics are projected; and a control unit configured to output a control signal that causes a component of a vehicle to operate when the sensor detects the object, wherein the component of the vehicle is a component that forms a locking/unlocking system configured to lock and unlock a door, a door opening/closing system configured to open and close a door, and a warning system configured to give notice of a danger, wherein an area where the sensor detects the object includes a dangerous area that is dangerous when the component of the vehicle is caused to operate with the object being detected, and a safe area where the component of the vehicle is allowed to safely operate with the object being detected, the sensor is configured to make detection while distinguishing between the dangerous area and the safe area, the control unit is configured to output the control signal that activates the locking/unlocking system or the door opening/closing system when the sensor detects the object in the safe area, the control unit is configured to output the control signal that activates the warning system when the sensor detects the object in the dangerous area, and wherein the control unit is configured to output the control signal that stops opening of the door being performed by the door opening/closing system, or to reduce a speed of opening of the door, when the sensor detects the object in the dangerous area after the control signal that activates the locking/unlocking system or the door opening/closing system is output. a projection unit configured to project text or graphics onto a road surface; a sensor configured to detect an object in an area where the text or the graphics are projected; and a control unit configured to output a control signal that causes a component of a vehicle to operate when the sensor detects the object, wherein the component of the vehicle is a component that forms a locking/unlocking system configured to lock and unlock a door, a door opening/closing system configured to open and close a door, and a warning system configured to give notice of a danger, wherein an area where the sensor detects the object includes a dangerous area that is dangerous when the component of the vehicle is caused to operate with the object being detected, and a safe area where the component of the vehicle is allowed to safely operate with the object being detected, the sensor is configured to make detection while distinguishing between the dangerous area and the safe area, the control unit is configured to output the control signal that activates the locking/unlocking system or the door opening/closing system when the sensor detects the object in the safe area, the control unit is configured to output the control signal that activates the warning system when the sensor detects the object in the dangerous area, and wherein the control unit is configured to output the control signal that stops opening of the door being performed by the door opening/closing system, or to reduce a speed of opening of the door, when the sensor detects the object in the dangerous area after the control signal that activates the locking/unlocking system or the door opening/closing system is output.