Why Keep Standard Time?
Key points
The debate advocates ending biannual clock changes but splits on permanent Standard Time for health and safety versus permanent DST for afternoon productivity and crime reduction.
Key takeaway
The debate centers on whether to adopt permanent Standard Time or permanent Daylight Saving Time (DST). Proponents of permanent Standard Time, like Jay from Safe Standard Time, argue it aligns with natural circadian rhythms, promotes better sleep health, improves productivity, decision-making, and safety, especially for children going to school. They cite support from medical and safety organizations and historical evidence showing risks with permanent DST. Proponents of permanent DST, like Representative Carter, argue it provides more afternoon sunlight, increasing productivity, physical activity, and reducing crime rates by 27%, while eliminating the biannual disruptive clock changes. Ultimately, both sides agree ending the clock switch is beneficial, but the core conflict remains between prioritizing morning light for health versus evening light for social and economic activities.
Jay, welcome. Tell people why you think we need to get rid of daylight savings time.
Thank you. I'm the president of the nonprofit Safe Standard Time. We advocate for ending the clock change but keeping standard time permanent, not daylight saving time. Standard Time is the honest sundial clock where 12:00 p.m. corresponds to high noon. It's what my grandparents taught me back on the farm in Iowa. I've since moved to Arizona to avoid the clock change. We should keep standard time year-round. It aligns the clocks more naturally to our circadian rhythms. It lets us sleep longer in the morning. When you spring your clock forward this weekend, your alarm clock sounds an hour earlier on DST relative to the sun than on standard time. DST is effectively a hidden government mandate to wake an hour early and sleep less. Sleeping less reduces productivity, harms mental health, physical health, and children's education. This opinion is shared by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, the National Safety Council, and over a hundred more nonprofits.
Historically, when we tried permanent DST, it doesn't go well. Permanent standard time can last many years.
Representative Carter, what do you say to those health concerns?
Well, actually permanent DST improves health. People enjoy another hour of sunshine. It not only improves health but also increases productivity and decreases crime. It has a social benefit. That extra hour of sunshine in the afternoons sees crime rates go down 27%. This makes common sense. The worst thing is switching back and forth. People want it one way or the other.
Jay, what do you say to that argument about lower crime rates and longer evening activities?
The claim that daylight saving time reduces crime refers to a single study on a single type of crime only on the dates of the clock change. Looking at all crime year-round, standard time wins because it's better for sleep health, leading to better decision-making. Regarding more sunshine, moving the clock doesn't create sunshine. It's most important to receive sunshine in the morning. On permanent DST, the sun wouldn't rise until people are going to school and work. That's not good for health or safety.
Representative Carter, what do you say to the importance of morning sun?
The extra sunlight at the end of the day increases productivity. Kids are more involved in physical activity. During winter, you go to work in the dark and come home in the dark. This would give an hour of sunlight in the afternoons when you get home. People find it hard to switch back and forth. They forget to set clocks, miss things Sunday morning. My co-workers and I seem fatigued after we do this twice a year. It takes a while to adjust.
Jay, your response?
The spring forward is especially harmful. The acute sleep loss, waking in the dark, and remaining on the wrong clock prevent good sleep. Too much evening light makes it harder to get to bed on time, especially for school children. When dark in the morning, it's harder to wake up. You feel sleepier and need more stimulants. We need a balance year-round of morning and evening light. Standard time naturally provides that.
Representative Carter, can you repeat the bill details?
This is a bill I co-sponsor with Representative Vern Buchanan in Florida. We recognized the need. Secretary of State Marco Rubio sponsored it in the Senate. It's been around a while, desperately needed. The benefits far outweigh negatives. An extra hour of afternoon sunlight increases productivity, physical activity, and improves health. Year-round daylight savings time is best for everyone.
Jay, respond.
The studies show productivity is lower on DST and higher on standard time. I remind the congressman that in 1974, permanent daylight saving time led to the loss of more than a dozen children's lives in Florida and half a dozen in Georgia. We should look out for school children most, giving them morning sunlight for school, and workers morning sunlight for work with standard time.
Thank you both. It's an interesting issue dividing the country on what's best for our health.
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