Daylight Saving Time (DST) has been a part of life for millions of people in North America for the last 100 years. Every spring, we set our clocks forward by one hour, and in autumn, we set them back by one hour. The goal of this practice is to give us more daylight in the evenings during the summer months. However, there is now debate about whether it is still necessary. As we prepare to change our clocks on November 3, 2024, the future of DST is still unclear.
History of DST
Daylight Saving Time was first introduced during World War I to save fuel and make better use of daylight. By moving the clocks forward one hour, people were expected to use less energy for lighting. In the United States, DST became official in 1966 with the Uniform Time Act, which standardized the start and end dates for DST. Today, DST begins in March and ends in November.
On November 3, most Americans will set their clocks back one hour, gaining an extra hour of sleep. This marks the end of DST, and we return to standard time for the winter.
Many people are questioning whether DST is still useful. Studies show that the energy savings are quite small, and some research suggests that changing the clocks can actually be harmful. When we switch to DST in the spring, losing an hour of sleep can lead to more car accidents, heart attacks, and sleep problems.
Because of these concerns, support for ending DST is growing. A recent poll found that 62% of Americans want to end this practice. Some people want to keep permanent daylight saving time, while others prefer to stay on standard time year-round.
Several states have passed laws to make DST permanent. States like Florida, Washington, and Oregon are waiting for Congress’s approval to stop changing the clocks and stay on DST all year. However, individual states cannot make this decision alone; they need permission from the federal government.
The Sunshine Protection Act, a bill to make DST permanent across the U.S., passed in the Senate in 2022 but got stuck in the House of Representatives. For now, the law remains unchanged, and most Americans will continue to adjust their clocks twice a year.
Not all U.S. states follow Daylight Saving Time. Hawaii and most of Arizona do not participate because they do not need more evening light. Several U.S. territories, like Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Guam, also remain on standard time year-round.
The future of DST is still uncertain. Many states are pushing for changes, but until Congress takes action, most of the U.S. will continue to adjust their clocks twice a year. As we prepare to “fall back” on November 3, the debate about whether DST makes sense today continues.
For now, remember to set your clocks back, enjoy an extra hour of sleep, and know that the conversation about Daylight Saving Time is not over.