Bob
I agree to what you said. I'm a manual shift driver and therefore like to shift my cars, but the Volvo and Chrysler are ATs.
Today with 4-6" of snow coming down here in West Michigan I too throw my Volvo in neutral while braking. It does make the car stop quiker at the lower speeds in this slippery stuff. While at a stoplight I always put her in neutral so I can keep the foot off the brake without lounging forward.
He doesn't coast in traffic, but most often on the highway while exiting with a stop at the end and therefore coasts from 70+ mph to 0 mph just a sweeping exit about 3 miles every day must save him some gas.

As for safety I would say putting it in N is more dangerous at that speed than not being able to accellerate, can you imagine what would happen if it slips into R(ace).

Thanks for your replies.
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EJO now a 1993 944T 197K; ex '65 123S; ex '75 245; and ex '81 242GT; also 2001 Kia Sportage, Chrysler 2002 T&C and 2006 MINI Cooper