Nearly half of Americans are in favor of Donald Trump’s plan to end Daylight Saving Time should he be re-elected.
According to Mail Online, the recent poll displays substantial approval for halting the biannual clock change that affects most U.S. residents.
Survey results from J.L Partners, with a sample size of 1,009 Americans questioned between January 10th and 12th, reveal varied opinions across different age groups and political affiliations. A closer look shows that 48 percent of respondents favor abolishing Daylight Saving Time, whilst 19 percent are against the idea, and 33 percent are undecided or neutral.
In particular, there is a noticeable divide among age groups; 54 percent of those over 65 years support the abolition, whereas only 38 percent of the younger demographic aged 18 to 29 feel the same way. Political lines also delineate differing views, with 54 percent of Republicans and 45 percent of Democrats in favor of ending the practice.
Daylight Saving Time introduced nationally during World War I and standardized in 1966, involves setting clocks forward by an hour in March and back by an hour in November. This adjustment is primarily aimed at extending evening daylight, thereby increasing productivity.
However, research links this shift to various health complications, including a higher incidence of heart attacks, strokes, and fatal car accidents.
A Michigan study highlights a 24 percent increase in hospital admissions for heart attacks immediately following the clock change in March. Similarly, a Finnish study associated an eight percent rise in stroke risks after adjusting to Daylight Saving Time.
The first week of March sees a six percent increase in deadly road accidents, hinting at the perilous implications of this biannual tradition.
Former President Donald Trump has characterized Daylight Saving Time as a needless burden. He argues for its elimination, highlighting its drawbacks to public health and safety:
"The unnecessary shifts between Daylight Saving Time and standard time are inconvenient and very costly to our nation."
The utility of Daylight Saving Time varies significantly across different states. For instance, southern states find the practice less useful due to minor variations in daylight hours throughout the year. Currently, 48 of the 50 U.S. states observe this time alteration, with only Arizona and Hawaii abstaining due to their stable sunrise and sunset times.
Internationally, 61 countries including Great Britain and numerous U.S. allies in Europe continue to observe Daylight Saving Time, indicating its widespread acceptance despite the increasing evidence of its adverse effects on human health and safety.
While opinions on Daylight Saving Time vary widely across different demographics and regions, it's clear that the conversation surrounding its relevance and impact is far from settled.
The vast array of studies and statistics underline the substantial effects—both positive and negative—that the practice has on everyday life. These findings fuel ongoing debates about whether the benefits of extending daylight during evening hours outweigh the potential health risks and disruptions caused by the time change.
