Riptide

I've been told by a friend who used to sell insurance that if you are in a multi vehicle rear end collision, are at a stop, and don't have your brake engaged then that can be factored into decisions regarding fault if your car is pushed into the one in front of you. Nearly everyone in the states keeps their foot at least lightly on the brake at a light. I've never met anyone who uses the parking brake and leaves their foot off the brake pedal.

As for clutch - I was always taught that "riding the clutch" at a light is a bad habit. I keep it in gear as I slow to a stop and at around 900-1000rpm I gently push the shifter into neutral without pushing the clutch pedal. Timed properly it won't hurt your gears and saves a little wear and tear on the clutch. If I screw up and allow the revs to get to low, bogging the engine, or try it to early on before the revs have fallen down to around 1K then there is resistance - and I use the clutch at that point.