I find that if you have the straps of clips tightened down to get the full benefit, you are much more likely to fall in an emergency stop. The action of unclipping from cleats is a much more natural movement and you don't have to reach down to loosen the strap. You have to move your foot back to step off the pedal while with clipless you move your foot to the side.

Straps can also put pressure across the top of your foot and cause numbness. The cage can put pressure on your toes if it doesn't fit just right.

Clipless pedals do not have to lock you into one position. Different pedal and cleat combos allow for varying degrees of float (rotation of your heel).

With either type of pedal you need to learn a good pedal stroke and to wiggle your toes a lot.

I've used both types and no way, no how, would I go back to cages.