People love to hate changing clocks twice a year, but can’t agree how to fix it

People Love to Hate Changing Clocks Twice a Year, But Can’t Agree How to Fix It

The Clock Change Dilemma

The U.S. will adjust its clocks forward an hour at 2 a.m. on Sunday for daylight saving time, resulting in a 23-hour day that disrupts routines and triggers widespread complaints. This shift creates challenges for sleep patterns, throws early morning activities into darkness, and sparks millions of grievances each year.

Political Challenges and Divided Opinions

Despite polls indicating most Americans dislike the biannual time change, political efforts to reform the system have stalled. Opinions on the issue vary sharply, with some advocating for permanent daylight saving time and others favoring standard time all year. “There’s no legislation that can shift the sun’s position to suit our needs,” said Jay Pea, leader of Save Standard Time, an organization pushing for year-round standard time.

“The majority of the year we’re in daylight savings time,” said Genie Lauren, a 41-year-old healthcare worker. “What are we doing this for?”

Historical Context of Time Adjustments

Since the railroads standardized time zones in 1883, the U.S. has periodically adjusted its clocks. This practice is also observed globally, with around 140 countries having implemented daylight saving time at some point. Approximately 70 nations still do so today. The current system, however, faces growing scrutiny, as a recent AP-NORC poll revealed that only 10% of U.S. adults support it, while half oppose it and 40% remain undecided.

State-Level Efforts and Legislative Hurdles

Since 2018, 19 states—spanning the South and parts of the northwest—have enacted laws seeking to adopt permanent daylight saving time. Yet, Congress must approve a federal law to allow this, a process that was used during World War II and briefly in 1974. In 2022, the U.S. Senate passed a bill to transition to year-round daylight saving, but a similar House proposal remains unvoted.

U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers, a Republican from Alabama, cited the airline industry’s resistance as a key reason lawmakers haven’t advanced the measure. Meanwhile, Rep. Greg Steube from Florida proposes a compromise: shifting the time change by 30 minutes to align it between the two existing systems. He believes this could gain broader support.

Health and Safety Concerns

Karin Johnson, a neurology professor and Save Standard Time advocate, argues that permanent standard time would align the sun more closely with daily activities, benefiting students, drivers, and the general public. “Morning light is essential for regulating our circadian rhythms,” she explained.

“Based on the evidence for our health and safety, the best option for the country now is to go to permanent standard time,” stated Kenneth Wright, director of the Sleep and Chronobiology Laboratory at the University of Colorado.

Some studies suggest that the risk of car accidents, heart attacks, and strokes rises after the clocks are moved forward. This adds to the argument for a permanent solution. Currently, only Arizona (excluding the Navajo Nation) and Hawaii observe standard time year-round, while other states rely on the seasonal switch.

State Bills and Conditional Approvals

In recent years, half a dozen states have introduced legislation to keep standard time permanently. However, many include conditions requiring neighboring states to follow suit. For instance, Virginia’s bill would take effect only if Maryland and Washington, D.C., also adopt the change. A Virginia House committee recently recommended delaying the debate until 2027, reflecting ongoing uncertainty about the best path forward.