VEHICLE SECUREMENT OVERRIDE SYSTEM

A vehicle system configured with a user selectable override of an automatic vehicle securement feature to prevent an unoccupied vehicle from driving includes a PRND shifter, a Park button configured to command the vehicle into a Park position, a brake system controller with a parking brake, an occupant restraint controller to determine a driver seat belt status, and a body computer configured to determine if a driver door is ajar. A controller is programmed to initiate the automatic vehicle securement feature and engage the parking brake when conditions are met to prevent the vehicle from driving away, and override the automatic vehicle securement feature when a user presses the Park button for a predetermined period of time while the vehicle is already in the Park position, to thereby enable the user to drive the vehicle when the conditions for the automatic vehicle securement feature are met.