Stop changing the clocks

Every fall and every spring, the same questions arise: Why are we moving the clocks ahead or back an hour? Can’t we just settle on one time all year?

That frustration, evident in the #LockTheClock campaign, has several states pushing for a move to permanent daylight saving time. However, there is also a growing number of people who want to stay on standard time throughout the year.

What’s clear is that whichever way we go, Americans are just plain tired of the time changes.

Fifteen states have passed legislation to make daylight saving time permanent, and Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., has reintroduced the Sunshine Protection Act — which he has done every year since 2018 — to make DST the year-round time standard.

A recent poll by Politico and Morning Consult shows that 45% percent of respondents “strongly support” the plan. Currently, only two states do not use daylight saving time — Arizona and Hawaii.

That doesn’t necessarily mean DST is the overwhelming preference; polling by AP-NORC showed that 40% wanted standard time throughout the year.

The American Academy of Sleep Medicine last year called for an end to seasonal time changes, and argued in favor of using standard time. The academy said that standard time most closely matches our sleep-wake cycle, so don’t change it.

Perhaps this is the year for a grand experiment. Come November, when we normally revert to standard time, keep it there throughout 2022. Or stick with daylight saving time.

Either way, pick one and let’s actually see what the effects are through observation and measurement.