Parkland’s students are heroic role models Daylight saving shift may raise traffic risks

How inspirational it has been to witness the journey of heroic role models at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland since the horrific school day on Feb. 14.

These courageous students are this generation’s “America’s Young Heroes.” They transformed from victims into victors and triumphed over tragedy. They transformed their stories of anxieties, fears and pain into stories of passion with a purpose for action, for their benefit and the benefit of society. They empowered, encouraged and educated their peers and even adults to take action for social change and social justice. Kudos to them.

Having daylight saving time year-round is a bad idea. The number of sunlit hours is the same regardless of what the clock says, but we need sunlight on winter mornings for the safety of commuters and children on their way to school.

In my early-morning walks, I have seen parents running red lights and causing accidents, hitting kids on bikes, rear-ending each other in the car. If they are driving while it is still dark out, I believe it will be worse. If kids are riding bikes to school in the dark, it will be a disaster.

DST in the spring and summer spreads out the available daylight to more waking hours. Resetting to EST in the winter again spreads out the available daylight to more waking hours. Changing the clocks is necessary to balance the daylight hours when they are most needed.