Should We Abolish Daylight Savings?

Twice a year, millions of us groggily adjust our clocks, grumble about losing or gaining an hour, and question why Daylight Saving Time (DST) still exists. The practice has been a staple of our calendars for over a century, but its relevance and benefits have come under scrutiny in recent years. As debates about its future continue, many wonder: why haven’t we abolished Daylight Saving Time already?

The Problems with Daylight Saving Time

The biannual clock change disrupts our circadian rhythms, leading to health issues such as increased risk of heart attacks, strokes, and sleep disorders. Studies show that the spring “forward” is particularly harmful, causing a spike in workplace injuries, car accidents, and general productivity losses.

Beyond health, DST has economic drawbacks. The confusion of clock changes can disrupt international business and travel schedules. Farmers, who were once thought to benefit from DST, actually find it disruptive to their routines and livestock. The practice is increasingly out of sync with modern life and its globalized, digital economy.

Why Hasn’t It Been Abolished?

1. It's Complicated: States/Provinces Can't Do It Alone

In both the U.S. and Canada, abolishing DST requires federal approval, and that's a big bureaucratic hurdle.

• In the U.S., states can choose to stay on standard time all year (like Arizona and Hawaii), but switching to permanent DST requires federal approval. The U.S. Congress would need to pass a law to make DST permanent nationwide.

• In Canada, most provinces follow U.S. time zone changes to stay aligned with their southern neighbors for trade and economic reasons. Provinces like British Columbia have passed laws to make DST permanent but are waiting for nearby U.S. states to do the same.

2. Business and Economic Interests

Many industries—particularly retail, sports, and tourism—benefit from the extra evening daylight during DST. These industries often lobby to keep DST in place because it:

• Encourages people to shop, dine, and socialize after work.

• Boosts outdoor activities like sports and tourism.

• Reduces energy usage (though this is now a controversial claim.

3. Conflicting Public Opinions

Public opinion on DST is divided. While many people dislike switching clocks, there’s disagreement on what to do:

• Some prefer permanent DST (more daylight in the evenings year-round).

• Others prefer permanent standard time (more daylight in the mornings year-round).

4. Political Gridlock

In the U.S., both state and federal lawmakers have introduced various bills to abolish DST, but the issue often gets stuck in political gridlock.

• The U.S. Senate unanimously passed the Sunshine Protection Act in 2022 to make DST permanent, but it stalled in the House of Representatives.

5. Health and Safety Concerns

Many health experts argue that permanent standard time is better for health because it aligns more closely with our natural circadian rhythms. However, lawmakers tend to favor permanent DST due to its perceived economic benefits.

• Switching the clocks is linked to higher rates of heart attacks, strokes, and car accidents right after the transition.

• However, permanent DST may cause chronic sleep deprivation in the winter due to darker mornings.

Conclusion

Daylight Saving Time may have served a purpose in the past, but its continued existence in the modern world is hard to justify. The costs—both tangible and intangible—of maintaining this outdated practice outweigh its negligible benefits. It’s time to stop resetting our clocks and start resetting our priorities. Abolishing Daylight Saving Time would be a small but meaningful step toward a healthier, more efficient society