Time for Change: Americans Weigh in on Daylight Saving Time
The future of daylight saving time remains uncertain, but one thing is clear: Americans are ready for a change. With the negative effects of the time change mounting, it is time for lawmakers to take action and consider a single time standard year-round, a move that could have a significant impact on the daily lives of Americans.
A recent Gallup poll reveals that half of U.S. adults want to abolish daylight saving time, while 40% support it, and 6% are undecided, marking a significant shift in opinion since 1999, with support for DST plummeting across most demographic groups.
The survey, conducted between January 21-27, found that 48% of Americans prefer standard time year-round, while 24% prefer daylight saving time year-round, and 19% prefer the current system of switching between the two. This indicates that 43% favor having DST part of the year or year-round, and 48% prefer not to have it at all. The twice-yearly time changes have been shown to have negative effects, including sleep disruption, increased traffic accidents, and health risks.
Lawmakers are currently debating the future of DST, with some proposing to make it year-round. However, studies have found that adding sunlight hours later in the day results in minimal energy savings. The Gallup survey was conducted with a random sample of 1,001 adults, aged 18 and older, living in all 50 U.S. states and the District of Columbia, with a margin of sampling error of ±6 percentage points at the 95% confidence level.
As the debate continues, it remains to be seen whether lawmakers will take action to address the concerns surrounding daylight saving time. With the negative effects of the time change affecting millions of Americans, it is clear that a change is needed, and it is up to Congress and the President to take action and adopt a single time standard year-round.
