http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704416904575122000750517056.html?mod=WSJ_Autos_AutoIndustry3
Questions Arise in Prius Case
"During the 911 call, the operator urged Mr. Sikes to shift the car into neutral, but he didn't do so. He later said he was afraid that moving the transmission out of drive might cause the car to "flip" or shift into reverse. "
The driver refused to comply with a simple instruction based on a groundless fear.
Should the NTSB recommend that all Prius owners practice shifting into neutral while the vehicle is in motion, just to be familiar with the action, and to see for themselves that the vehicle does not flip over just from shifting into neutral?
Most vehicles have an interlock that prevents the gearshift lever from moving directly from Drive to Reverse. I shift into neutral routinely at stops, it is very easy because the lever stops at Neutral unless the button is pressed (other vehicles have some sort of interlock even if they don't have the button).
