It’s back: Daylight Saving Time is fast-approaching, meaning it’s time to fall back once again.
In Michigan, there’s questions about whether we should continue to do it at all. State Senator Pete Lucido has pushed for a year-round Daylight Saving Time, though the bill hasn’t moved past committees.
Nationally, the President seems to be behind the push. After a bill was introduced by Florida’s representatives to make daylight savings time year-round he tweeted: “Making Daylight Saving Time permanent is O.K. with me!”
Those that want to see it cite both health concerns of constantly switching the time, and a simple frustration with the process.
“This is what’s going on twice a year, sleep pattern disturbance,” said Sen. Lucido, adding that many industries are behind a year-round push for Daylight Saving Time because the additional hours of sunlight for 6-8 months a year can help them financially.
“Children are more antsy in the pantsy when they go to school, when their sleep patterns have been disturbed. Teachers said, ‘Stop it!’ It’s about productivity, accidents — car accidents, work related accidents. It’s about keeping consistency and uniformity.”
As for doctors, they tell 7 Action News that the key is to watch for issues that pop up beyond 2-3 days. That’s all it should take to adjust according to DMC Harper Hospital’s Chief of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Dr. James Rowley.
“We also tell people to avoid alcohol, caffeine and tobacco before bed time,” said Dr. Rowley. “It’s very important — that helps disrupt the rhythms even more.”
The Uniform Time Act was created in 1966 under President Lyndon B. Johnson, that established Daylight Saving Time — the change to the dates came in 1987. States can choose to opt out of daylight saving time, but if they want to institute a year-round model shifting the hours for the entire year it requires federal approval. Florida, and six other states, have made requests to make Daylight Saving Time year-round.
