Soon all Marylanders – and for that matter, all Americans except those in Hawaii and Arizona – will be asked to ‘fall back”. 

Although the concept was suggested by others including a joking reference by Benjamin Franklin in 1784, Daylight Saving Time (DST) was first legislated by Germany in 1916, two years into World War I. It was adopted to minimize the use of artificial lighting and save fuel for the war effort. Most of Europe followed but reverted to Standard Time after the war. World War II saw the permanent return of DST. 

Officially, 2:00 a.m. on Sunday, November 7th is when we will set our clocks back an hour and get a few more zzzzzz’s. However, many prefer to make the change just before bedtime on Saturday, November 6. 

The country’s time zones, and Daylight Saving Time, are under the auspices of the U.S. Department of Transportation. As early as 1918, there was DST in the United States, but it was not uniform across the country until the Uniform Time Act in 1966. Currently the  Energy Policy Act of 2005 establishes the beginning and end of DST for all states but Hawaii and Arizona (except the Navajo Nation). The territories of American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands do not observe DST. Interestingly. federal law allows a state to exempt itself from observing daylight saving time, upon action by the state legislature, but does not allow the permanent observance of DST. 

As you can imagine, there are many issues – pro and con – surrounding this policy.  

  • According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, DST, which adds an extra hour of sunlight at the end of the days from March to November, reduces traffic accidents and crime in the dark and provides people with more time for evening outdoor activities in the seasons with the best weather.  
  • The counter argument points to circadian rhythms disruptions, health issues and increased incidents of heart attacks, strokes, fatal car crashes, and workplace injuries immediately after the transition to DST in March and back to Standard time in November.  
  • Permanent Standard Time might be better for sleep and overall health because there would be more morning light and less evening light in the Spring and Summer. More fuel would be used for evening artificial lighting. 
  • Permanent Daylight Saving Time means that Winter mornings stay dark much later, particularly in the western parts of each time zone. More fuel would be used for morning artificial lighting. 

  

The very human trait of being opposed to change seems to be the main complaint.  Many want a standard time year-round whether Daylight Saving Time or Standard Time. 

Send an email to info@poolesvilleseniors.org and vote for one of the following: 

  • A. Stay on Standard Time year round 
  • B. Stay on Daylight Savings Time year round 
  • C. Switch between ST & DST