I haven't had a clipless fall yet - its been 3 years of riding clipless. (knock on wood) Some people have fallen a few times over years of cycling. I don't know anyone who constantly falls all the time. I don't know if clipless pedals made me faster, but when I ride without them, its always an uneasy feeling - like my feet could just slip off and I have to maintain more pressure on the pedals on the upstroke to keep them planted firmly. I definitely prefer to be "clipped in", but I skip the fancy tap shoes for my 1mi commute and most short pub rides.