Bad neutral safety switch ???

having it wired that way has saved my bacon many times. simple routine:

get in drivers' seat. put on seat belt. check brakes. visually check the lever is on park. hold brakes (just to be sure), start car.

conversely, park car, set lever, turn off key.

you'd have to be pretty out of it not to be able to remember that stuff. the key is simply getting in the car with the attitude that what can go wrong, will go wrong. and when it does, as it will, i am glad i have my bypass so i can bump her into a parking spot and deal with it. flat tow SUCKS.