I have on two different occasions accidentally put the car in reverse thinking I put it in park. The reason for this is that with most automatics, including all of my previous cars and my current second car, you push the selector to the front while holding down the brake, and then let go of the brake. If you do the same movement with the new BMW selector that puts the car into reverse...which means the car unexpectedly drifts backwards.
Luckily for me I noticed the car rolling backwards on both occasions and slammed on the brakes just in time...
I admit that this all boils down to me being deeply engrossed in my thoughts and not paying enough attention to the moment...
One thing I am trying to work into my "routine" is to use the handbrake whenever I park; it has never been my habit since there are hardly any hills where I live.
Has anyone else experienced this?