llv24, maybe you just need more practice in less stressful situations than traffic lights. When you approach a stop, try disengaging your foot early, and then flipping the cage over to the platform side. At first this usually requires looking down, but after awhile your foot will "remember" what to do. Same goes when starting up, take a few pedal strokes on the platform side to get yourself moving and balanced, then flip the cage into position. And I don't know that toe cages are more or less difficult to get in and out of than clipless, just different -- but after some practice they both become second nature.