Do We Still Really Need to Spring Ahead? Should We?
A new survey asked over 1,000 Americans.
Since we do it, slightly more of us prefer to “spring forward,” and get more daylight, than “fall back.” 35% said it’s better . . . 28% prefer it when we fall back, because they get to sleep in . . . and everyone else either wasn’t sure, or didn’t have a preference.
The survey also finds that 54% of Americans wish we’d just eliminate the time change altogether. So more than half of us are now on board, with that idea.
When people were asked WHY we still do it, the five most common answers were . . .
To conserve energy . . . so farmers have more time to work . . . so people can make better use of their evening hours . . . because it’s too complicated to stop observing it . . . and for economic reasons.
But…
Several lawmakers are considering switching to Daylight Saving Time, year-round. Here’s why:
1. Lives might be saved. The evening rush hour is more dangerous for a couple reasons . . . there are more people are on the road, there’s a greater chance for alcohol to be in people’s bloodstreams, and more kids are outside playing.
So having an extra hour of sunlight in the evening could reduce car accidents with pedestrians. In fact, a study by Rutgers researchers found that 343 lives could be saved, every year, if we switched to year-round Daylight Saving Time.
2. Crime could decrease. Criminals like darkness. But a 2013 study found that more light in the evening could reduce crime by up to 20%. It especially helps with juveniles, who are more likely to commit crimes after school in the early evening hours.
3. Energy might be saved. When the sun is out later, there’s less demand for energy to light and heat homes and businesses. When the sun rises earlier during Standard Time, a lot of people aren’t even awake yet.
4. Our sleep wouldn’t get messed up twice a year – productivity wouldn’t, either. No matter whether you prefer Standard Time or Daylight Saving Time, changing the clocks twice a year is bad for our health. According to THE CONVERSATION, it disrupts our sleep . . . heart attacks increase . . . and one study even found it negatively affected financial markets.