Daylight saving time (also known as DST), started on 30 April 1916, Suggested by a New Zealander named George Vernon Hudson, and first organized by Germany and Austria. On the second Sunday of March the clocks must turn forward one hour in order to contain for sun light through out the summer days. This lasts up to the first Sunday of November, which is when the clocks are turned back. This was used in World War I by the Germans to conserve coal while experiencing an energy crisis. However it s said that Daylight saving has caused controversy since it began. In todays society the states and countries that observe day light saving time has had proven side affects such as increase in vehicular accidents, depression, work injuries, and has been suggested by Researchers in Indiana to cause brain damage. One hour can mean the deference between being late or on time for a plane, meeting, class or job. In a metropolitan city being late isn’t good for anyone because now there is a possibility for accidents and sometimes consequent to fetal results. Mentioned in Ferguson’s article, an estimate of 901 more fetal crashes accurse around Daylight saving time (727 involving pedestrians, and 174 involving vehicles). These accidents are said to be derived from lack of sleep. In Pinto’s article Researchers claim that lack of sleep can lead to Cyclical disruption to circadian rhythms. As minor as it may seem, this will hamper with the long-term intelligence of ones brain. Another side affect of Daylight saving time has been proven to be depression and sometimes lead to suicide. As Kirn discusses, both breakfast and dinner are consumed in darkness, and sometimes even the later half of lunch. Researchers have not yet figured out why exactly do people get depressed around winter when it gets dark. However, researchers named it Seasonal affective disorder. Many studies have shown people with this disorder feel better when exposed to light. For those who work 8 hours a day, Daylight saving time can be very hard because they are consuming Daylight with work. It can feel like prison for some people. This could lead to suicide for some people who feel trapped. Pinto claims that Researchers’ in Indiana have observed 10 years of SAT scores from high school and the schools that observe Daylight saving time scored 16 points lower on the SAT exam, which is an aptitude exam. This led the researchers to blame the circadian rhythm being thrown off, because this disrupts melatonin function, which indirectly taxes the body and brain. Knowing this the researchers suggest Day light saving time observation leads to brain damage. Daylight saving time has proven to be quit useful in the past and more harmful in today’s society. However there has been research on how Daylight saving time is useful even though it can cause extreme side effects like vehicle accidents, depression, suicide, work injuries, and possibly brain damage. This observation is a thing of the past, maybe its time to change the rules as society evolves.

Got Daylight?

Got Daylight?

Ferguson, Susan A./ Daylight saving time and motor vehicles crashes/ American journal of public health/ p 92-95/ 1995
Pinto, Vanessa/The Downside of Daylight savings/psychology today/ p10. 2011
Kirn, Walter/ Gloom Gloom Go Away/ Time Europe/p 49/2002

Nadia Shensi