I'm a big proponent of "Planning your descent" basically defensive driving. What I mean when I say "plan your descent" look 20 steps ahead of you, see how the cars are behaving and how the cars in-front of them are behaving. By watching two cars in-front of you, you can determine what the car immediately in front of you is going to do.
I ride a single speed in Chicago, I do exactly what you're asking about, I feel unsafe sitting behind cars at stoplights. I split the cars and get in front of them when they are stopped, often times it becomes a game of leap frog for awhile until the cars or I break away. By watching cars beyond your immediate danger zone you can typically pick the best line to split the traffic.
Timing is a huge key to success. Try to roll up to the intersection exactly when the light turns green so you don't loose momentum, or time the red to green so you get a jump on the gun. You want to be confident with your abilities, the worst place to get stuck when the light changes to green is next to a car.
Get quality brake pads and Ride your brakes. I set my brakes up to really lock down when I pull the lever. I want to be able to stop on a dime. I often times find myself riding my brakes at a stoplight but pedaling at the same time to maintain minimal forward movement and my feet on the pedals, if I time it right - I simply let go of the brakes and sprint through the intersection.
Look into the whites of drivers eyes. Might be my best advise, stare down your fellow drivers. This is best demonstrated with turning vehicles. You find a car in a turn lane and don't think they can see you, look at them directly in their eyes, once they make eye contact they can see you. (Don't forget to watch where you are going also)
Look in mirrors. (parked cars) or if you feel your in a blind spot. If you can see them, they can see you, you don't want to get side swiped by a door of a parked car.
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