The commencement of daylight saving time brings an extra hour of sleep for millions of Americans, but it also marks the onset of losing precious sunlight in the late afternoon.
The age-old tradition of changing the clock twice a year has left many pondering its relevance in the modern world. Interestingly, state legislatures across the United States have taken the initiative to challenge this century-old practice.
Since 2018, nearly all states have either passed or considered legislation to abolish the biannual clock adjustment. Astonishingly, 19 states have already enacted laws or resolutions supporting the idea of year-round daylight saving time, according to data from the National Conference of State Legislatures. However, there’s a significant hurdle to overcome: Congress must address a 1960s-era law that currently prevents any such changes.
A Glimpse Into the History of Daylight Saving Time
The United States has been adhering to daylight saving time since 1918 when President Woodrow Wilson signed the Standard Time Act into law. The rationale behind this was that extending daylight hours could potentially reduce energy costs during World War I. Almost half a century later, the Uniform Time Act of 1966 mandated that states adhering to daylight saving must synchronize their start and end dates. This federal law effectively implies that states cannot adopt daylight saving time throughout the year without prior approval from Congress.
However, states do have the option to opt out of this clock-switching practice by adhering to standard time year-round. Consequently, there are regions within the country that do not observe daylight saving time at all, such as Hawaii, most of Arizona, and various U.S. territories, including American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands.
The Recent Movement to Abolish Clock Adjustments
In the past few years, there has been a strong resurgence of efforts to abolish the practice of changing the clocks. In 2018, Florida took a significant step by passing the Sunshine Protection Act, which, if approved by federal law, would make the state permanently follow daylight saving time.
At the federal level, Senator Marco Rubio, representing Florida, proposed the national Sunshine Protection Act, aiming to establish daylight saving time as the year-round standard across the country, with exceptions for regions that currently do not participate. The legislation unanimously passed the Senate in 2022 but encountered a setback in the House during the last session. Senator Rubio reintroduced the legislation in March.
The Benefits of Permanent Daylight Saving Time
States that advocate for permanent daylight saving time, like Ohio, argue that the additional daylight can lead to a reduction in crime rates, fewer car accidents, and decreased energy consumption, all while providing more opportunities for outdoor activities.
The American Academy of Sleep Medicine, a medical association whose members are dedicated to promoting policies that enhance sleep health, has taken a firm stance on this matter. They recently released a statement urging the U.S. to completely eliminate daylight saving time, contending that standard time best aligns with people’s natural circadian rhythms, thus supporting overall health and safety.
The Impact of Clock Adjustments on Health and Safety
One of the most concerning aspects of the biannual time change is its effect on health and safety. Research indicates that following the “spring forward” time shift, workplace injuries, car crash fatalities, and the risk of heart attacks all see an alarming increase.
A 2023 study even found that a week after transitioning from the time change, people reported higher levels of sleep dissatisfaction and increased rates of insomnia.
In conclusion, the debate over the continuation of daylight saving time rages on. While there is a growing consensus among states to eliminate this practice, the need for congressional action remains a significant obstacle. Whether we will eventually bid farewell to this tradition or continue to “spring forward” and “fall back” remains to be seen, but the discussion is far from over.