Are new Jeep shifters too complicated or are people too stupid?

[Trailfirst]

Needs to be pointed out that shifter TOGGLES forward and back - it doesn't detent into the various positions - so yeah, it just takes one of the toggling movements to not quite be enough and it wont be where you thought you put it. Combine that with engine idling low - ie. aircon not cycled - so she sits still when you come off the brake - then have aircon cycle in a few seconds later with rev increase and badda bing badda boom... Agreed, the park brake should also be on - I always make sure of that myself - but you can see how people get caught out.

[Nappa]

I believe that this may be an unfortunate case of driver error and a number of other factors. As mentioned before, US drivers tend not to use the parkbrake (for that matter, older Ford Explorers had a park brake that let the car roll about 3 inches before engaging).

Having driven in the states a number of times, I've noticed there seem to be excessive warning chimes. Not just the usual seatbelt, or door open whilst car is moving chimes, but chimes for what seems like no reason at all. Why does the door need to chime when the car is off and the door is open? Is it a don't leave your keys in the car reminder?

Anyway, I theorize that perhaps US drivers have tuned out the warning chimes their car emits, and whilst it might be screaming that the door is open and it is not in park, they may not notice.