"This is an interesting question because I rather disagree, but not in the way you might think. I do think the UI is bad, but I think it's the fact that there is no distinct notification that you have put the car in park or reverse. I don't find the shift lever to be particularly problematic, and I say that as an owner of a Toyota Prius, which has a similar design. It's spring loaded, and the movement between the states is very easy to make, especially the drive and neutral positions. The first month I had the car, I kept shifting into neutral at random times until I figured out that I can't rest my arm on the shifter (be kind, this is my first car) because it's just slightly to the left of drive and doesn't require you to have braked 100%. What sets it apart is when you shift into reverse. The car makes a high pitched alarm inside and out the *entire* time the car is in reverse — it is unmistakeable. As another commenter mentioned, it does have a dedicated Park button. I don't feel that it's a "deliberate and unmistakeable action," but all the doors lock...loudly...so you have visual and auditory confirmation that something happened. To me, with the exception of the ability to easily shift into neutral, this is all great design that may have prevented this unfortunate death.Now I will point out a somewhat related problem particular to Priuses that could easily result in death. I've been driving this car for two years and I still do this every single week. I usually leave the car in Eco mode as it has stellar fuel economy. In this mode, it cuts off the engine whenever possible and switches to the electric motor. Say you pull into a parking space. If your foot is on the brake for more than a couple of seconds, the engine shuts off and the car is totally silent. Often, I'm getting my bag or checking my phone, the engine shuts off, and I mistakenly think the car has been parked, despite not hearing the doors lock. I go to lift my foot off the brake and the car starts moving forward again. It's terrifying each and every time, and so easy to do. In my opinion, this is a fundamental design issue that could result in death."