Clocks in the United States will be set back one hour at 2 am on Sunday, November 6, 2022, signifying the end of Daylight Saving Time (DST) in the US, Mexico, and Canada before it starts again in March next year.

Change of the clock often brings about controversial debates about the significance of tradition and whether it is necessary, beneficial or even healthy. The US Senate weighed in on the discussions earlier this year on March 15 and unanimously voted for the Sunshine Protection Act.

The Act would make DST a permanent occurrence all year round in all US states except Hawaii and some areas in Arizona, which have sunlight throughout the year and continue to observe standard time. In other words, the clock would not be set back to standard time this weekend if DST was permanent. 

However, the bill stalled when it got to the House of Representatives.

Senator Marco Rubio, Republican of Florida, introduced the bill to the Senate because he believes it could benefit the country by reducing crime, lowering the number of car accidents, and reducing the incidence of heart attacks. He also said it would encourage children to play outside.

During the Senate’s vote in March, Rubio said that scientific studies showed that clock switching had harmful impacts on people. He added that even though the issue was not a pressing matter that was a top priority in the US, many people would agree to do away with clock switching.

A scientific study done in 2020 found that fatal road accidents rose by 6% in the US in the week after Spring DST started. The study suggested abolishing DST could prevent at least 28 road accidents annually. Other studies have found that the clock switching increases the risk of injuries in the workplace and medical errors in the days immediately following the switch.

In 2019, a study found that the risk of heart attacks also increased in the same week when the clocks sprung forward.

However, Steve Calandrillo, a University of Washington law professor, asserts that people enjoy sunlight later in the day. His research also found that the crime rate could significantly be reduced if there was more sunlight in the evening.

A study conducted in 2004 suggested that all-year-round DST would result in over 100 fewer pedestrian fatalities and 200 fewer fatalities in car drivers and passengers annually.

The American Academy of Sleep Medicine does not support the switch to permanent DST, as opposed to standard time or switching back and forth. Research shows that human bodies function better when exposed to more sunlight in the morning.

Horacio de la Iglesia, a University of Washington biology professor, said that even though the best option would be to stick to standard time permanently, it is better to keep switching back and forth than to stay on permanent DST.

Numerous experts advocate for the US to switch to permanent standard time for people to be better aligned with solar time. That way, people retain the health benefits that come with getting sunlight.

Last week, Mexico’s Senate voted to eliminate DST due to numerous studies showing the health risks associated with DST in the country.

Although the bill has yet to pass in the House of Representatives, 19 US states have already established laws for permanent DST.