I knew someone who told me his wife stopped at their mailbox to pick up mail and neglected to put their Mercedes in park when she opened the door. The car, while idling ran over (some part of) her! I'm not sure how hurt she was, but I've met her and she seems just fine now.
He claims that because of this incident (and I suspect others like it) in new Mercedes opening a door automatically puts the car in park.
Yes, and it's an incredibly hated feature by the owners of the G class who actually use those cars off road - you're in the middle of a difficult manouvre and need to open the door to look at clearance - bam, car goes into park.
He claims that because of this incident (and I suspect others like it) in new Mercedes opening a door automatically puts the car in park.