Let’s stop this havoc-inducing ‘time trick’
As I drive home, each brake light becomes an inimical eye— reflected off glass, skewed in the upsidedown, haunting. The onslaught of darkness brings me to terror and tears in the slowed traffic. I’m prepared; I make it. Inside, I frantically flick on lights, start my fire, curl up and shudder.
It’s the switch from daylight saving time to standard time. The antiquated 1918 policy starts the night early — “to conserve daylight” and energy — and increases depression, suicide and anxiety. Even if you aren’t among the 8 percent to 11 percent “distressed by the sudden advancement of sunset,” you are affected. You see the increase in sick days. You hear the screaming baby, yelping toddler or whimpering puppy that now wakes at 4 a.m. You grumble about the increased accidents on your way home.
Let’s end daylight saving time. It doesn’t help farmers or businesswomen, drivers or walkers, parents or children. And ending daylight saving time could save 171 lives per year in U.S. traffic accidents alone.
If you like, we can spring forward once more. But then let’s stay stable and sane. Let’s never fall back again. REBECCA BYERS
Wilkinsburg
On a not-so serious note (but to some it is): Many people, including myself, think it’s high time to kill daylight saving time. Is there anything more ridiculous than that annual occurrence, which runs from March until November? It was developed in World War I-era Europe to conserve energy.
Now you have to turn the lights on earlier in the evening during standard time or earlier in the morning during daylight saving time.
I’d rather drive home in the light than have the sun smacking me in the face riding up the road. Arizona seems to be the only sane state to ignore it! Come on, let’s light up the evenings and the heck with the darkness in the mornings. Besides, half the world sleeps on their way to work anyway; it’s valuable catching of ZZZs time!
Time to change the time; oh heck, I think I’m late ... no wait, am I early? Darn it! LEE CARNAHAN
Plum