Why It’s Time to Abolish Daylight Saving Time
Congress should set clocks permanently to Standard Time, for better sleep, health and public safety, experts argue
When the U.S. Senate voted unanimously this spring to make Daylight Saving Time permanent, the senators were said to be a little groggy, having just endured the clock’s annual spring forward. Had they not lost an hour of sleep, clearer heads might’ve considered the science indicating Daylight Saving Time is the one that needs nixing, putting the nation back on permanent Standard Time — as nature intended.
The bill stalled in the House of Representatives. So on Sunday, Nov. 6, states that observe the time changes will again fall back an hour, to Standard Time, and barring a legislative surprise will spring forward again on the second Sunday next March.
Meanwhile, sleep experts and other scientists are arguing for the end of Daylight Saving Time (DST), saying clocks should be forever set on Standard Time — as happens in Hawaii, most of Arizona, and the U.S. territories. That would provide more hours of morning daylight that research shows promotes improved sleep, health and public safety, for adults and kids alike.
“Daylight Saving Time disrupts the body’s natural circadian rhythms and impacts sleep,”…
