Permanent DST - Changing My Mind: Some of you were right, but I was wrong. If we are making one time standard it should be Standard Time. Studies done by scientists show that human...

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Some of you were right, but I was wrong. If we are making one time standard it should be Standard Time. Studies done by scientists show that human beings are geared to waking up and going to sleep according to ambient light. Switching to permanent DST would put us in a permanent conflict with our circadian rhythm. Unfortunately, that in the proposed law line about DST helping stores to get more traffic will overrule science.

fourlocks Loc: Londonderry, NH

jerryc41 wrote:

Some of you were right, but I was wrong. If we are making one time standard it should be Standard Time. Studies done by scientists show that human beings are geared to waking up and going to sleep according to ambient light. Switching to permanent DST would put us in a permanent conflict with our circadian rhythm. Unfortunately, that in the proposed law line about DST helping stores to get more traffic will overrule science.

Since there are only two choices, I figured there was a 50:50 chance our lawmakers would choose the best time schedule. I should have known business interests would supersede any thoughts they may have had of doing what's best for the average person.

fetzler Loc: North West PA

You may recall that the US had permanent daylight saving time for a couple of years in the 1970s. It was unpopular for the reasons you mention and had to be repealed. Indeed standard time is best. Perhaps some states would change their time zone in response.

anotherview Loc: California

The circadian rhythm affects all lifeforms -- humans included. Let us hope that the politicians understand this fact and act accordingly.

jerryc41 wrote:

Some of you were right, but I was wrong. If we are making one time standard it should be Standard Time. Studies done by scientists show that human beings are geared to waking up and going to sleep according to ambient light. Switching to permanent DST would put us in a permanent conflict with our circadian rhythm. Unfortunately, that in the proposed law line about DST helping stores to get more traffic will overrule science.

kschwegl Loc: Orangeburg, NY

I agree that we should be on EST.

Ken S.

Plieku69 Loc: The Gopher State, south end

The law just passed by the Senate allows the States to choose between Standard time and DST. The result would be a hodge podge of conflict.
The 1974 DST law lasted just 9 months. Sending kids to school in the winter months in total darkness increases accidents, fatalities went up.
Ken

anotherview Loc: California

Adjust the start of the school day to coincide with dawn. This way, school kids will go out during sunlight.

Plieku69 wrote:

The law just passed by the Senate allows the States to choose between Standard time and DST. The result would be a hodge podge of conflict.
The 1974 DST law lasted just 9 months. Sending kids to school in the winter months in total darkness increases accidents, fatalities went up.
Ken