I'm a newbie, too. And I was afraid of going clipless, although every week my group friends would tell me that I HAD to go clipless. When I went to LBS and was fitted for my new bike, the first thing he told me was that I had to go clipless to improve both power on the bike AND posture. I left there with pedals and shoes.

I have the SPD's (mountain bike shoes and pedals). He did tell me it would be easier to get out of those than the LOOK style. He adjusted the pedals so they are at their loosest possible point. I have ridden about 4 or 5 times on them, and (knock on wood) I haven't fallen over yet! Everyone tells me I will, and I'm afraid of that day. But, so far, so good!

Whenever I approach a traffic light or something that I may need to stop for, I just twist my angle outward and the shoe pops right off the pedal. I dangle that foot out and prepare to lean and put my foot down on the road as I stop. Always the left foot, as that is the foot I always tended to balance on anyway. I've had people tell me that it's smart to get used to using the same foot so you don't forget or get confused when you stop. So far, so good! Go for it!