depends how long you sit there idling really doesn't it, and don't forget that Europeans drive small fuel efficient cars with hightech engine management systems - they don't need one gallon of fuel just to turn the motor over like some of Detroit "iron", they start with almost no effort at all.

The wear and tear thing, well Germany does have an automobile industry to support ;-) and really that isn't a big thing.

And causing traffic jams because you stall the thing, well you shouldn't be on the road if you can't drive should you Actually the worst that usually happens there is that you get tooted at by the car behind you, just like you would if you weren't paying attention and missed the light going green. Can't imagine that actually causing a traffic jam!