By: Giovanni Gonzalez / Staff Writer
Since its inception in 1784, daylight savings’ time has evolved to create a system in which clocks are changed by one hour at the start and reversed by one hour at the end on a bi-yearly basis.
Although the purpose of daylight savings’ time can still be applied to modern society, the benefits are much different than they were when the idea was first conceived.
The tradition should be further streamlined to stay in the daylight savings’ phase all year around. With the extra daylight provided by daylight savings’ time, a considerable amount of energy is saved in the evening hours of the day. Although this is somewhat offset by extra energy use in the early morning, there is a less energy use overall during daylight savings’ time.
The daylight savings’ phase is also much safer for many citizens. Statistics show that the extra daylight reduces crime by up to 10 percent and reduces traffic accidents. It also lowers risk for children on days like Halloween, when many people are walking around outside.
The increased visibility lowers risk of muggings, robberies and crimes based on the low visibility advantage of night time. It also improves visibility for drivers for another hour in the evening, providing a marginally safer environment.
The bi-yearly switch from daylight savings’ time to standard time is also a cause for confusion in many parts of the country. Many train systems have difficulties adjusting to the changes and often run late, early or not at all when it is time to switch. Many plane and bus services experience similar problems and must change departure and arrival times in the hours following a daylight saving switch.
Every state has the right to choose whether they participate in daylight saving time and this causes disparities in neighboring states and even in neighboring cities. For example, the time in Indiana is divided not only by the Eastern/Central time zone line, but also by disagreements in whether to use daylight savings’ time, as some counties participate and some do not.
Although the daylight savings’ process is regulated by the federal government, some states still choose not to participate, such as Hawaii and Arizona.
The use of daylight savings’ time can also cause problems with international travel. Countries like Canada, Europe, Russia and Spain observe daylight savings’ time, but may start and stop on different dates. Other countries like China, India and Australia do not participate.
The extra daylight in the evening has many benefits other than just conserving some energy and should be kept year round. The increased energy conservation, simplicity and safety makes sticking to daylight saving time worth it and many states have already done away with the switching.
Many of the benefits of daylight savings’ time can still be retained while doing away with much of the confusion regarding time disparities between cities and states.
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