Title: Push to End Daylight Saving Time Gains Momentum as States Advocate for Permanent Change
Millions of Americans will soon transition to standard time, gaining an extra hour of sleep while simultaneously bidding farewell to sunlight in the late afternoon as daylight saving time comes to an end this Sunday. However, state legislatures across the country are actively pushing to eliminate the practice of changing the clock twice a year.
Since 2018, nearly all states have either passed or contemplated legislation to do away with the time shift. To date, 19 states have successfully passed laws or resolutions in support of year-round daylight saving time. However, these states face an obstacle – a law from the 1960s that prevents states from making changes to daylight saving time. Consequently, the responsibility lies with Congress to address this law to enable permanent time changes at the state level.
Daylight saving time has been observed in the United States since 1918, with its implementation initially motivated by energy conservation during World War I. However, not all states follow this practice. Hawaii and most of Arizona abstain from daylight saving time altogether.
Florida took a significant stride in 2018 by passing the Sunshine Protection Act, which seeks to establish permanent daylight saving time, contingent upon federal authorization. In line with this, Senator Marco Rubio has proposed the national Sunshine Protection Act to make daylight saving time the permanent year-round standard.
Proponents of permanent daylight saving time argue that it aids in reducing crime rates, car accidents, and energy consumption. On the contrary, the American Academy of Sleep Medicine supports putting an end to this time switch, stating that standard time is most conducive to health and safety. Furthermore, research has shown that the time change can lead to increased workplace injuries, fatalities from car crashes, and an elevated risk of heart attacks.
Beyond the potential health consequences, people often report dissatisfaction with their sleep patterns and experience higher rates of insomnia following the spring forward time change.
While the debate regarding daylight saving time continues, it is pertinent to note that the switch is set to take place again on March 10, 2024. As the nation grapples with the impacts of adjusting the clock, the push for a permanent solution gains momentum, signaling a potential shift in how Americans experience time.
