Non-professional drivers frequently motor along with their hand resting on the gear lever.
This is considered poor practice, since in an emergency situation, both hands should really be on the wheel.
Today’s invention is therefore a gear lever knob which senses the presence of a hand on it and if it has rested there for more than a second or two (especially without changing gear) it will buzz and/or emit a beeping tone.
According to my car’s handbook, resting your hand on the gear lever wears out the gears, too.
Excellent point. Is this your new beetle? Cool. I love the avatar too, btw.
See this idea too: http://www.wired.com/autopia/2013/07/ford-shifter/