Originally Posted by
kickstart
If ones commute involves a lot of stop and go, always having the brake levers and shifter at hand in the most upright position saves time and effort while maintaining a better view of ones surroundings when braking and shifting.
*ahem* Advice on what equipment to use that is quantified by "never" or "always" should be considered suspect as everyone's abilities and environments are different.
I've done plenty of stop and go with drop bars. Upright-ness on hoods or tops is a very small difference.