Graphic by Dani Ramirez and Madelaine Brown
Written by Hunter Harding
On Sunday, March 8, at 2 a.m., your phone’s clock will automatically spring forward an hour. You will wake up at 9 a.m. on your phone and 8 a.m. on your alarm clock. Then you will remember the clock-changing ritual your country performs twice a year. You will feel disoriented for the next few days as the world around you transitions into what always seems like an entirely new timeline.
During the closing days of World War I, Americans first experienced this discombobulation on March 31, 1918, following the passage of the Standard Time Act. This adoption was intended to match the energy savings our European allies had achieved after implementing the ritual of springing forward and falling back years earlier.
In 2026, Americans, excluding Arizona and Hawaii, continue to shift our lives twice a year to adhere to this wartime policy. However, our country has made immense technological progress since the end of World War I and we no longer have troops fighting in a global conflict. The policy intended to benefit Americans does much more harm than good nowadays.
Spikes in crime rates
Crime often occurs behind the shield of darkness, no matter the time of year. But Jennifer Doleac and Nicholas Sanders of the Stanford Institute for Economic Policy Research highlight the impact of our switch to standard time in the fall on crime rates. Doleac and Sanders’ findings suggest that crime is much more likely to occur during our use of standard time, as robbery rates decrease by an average of 51%, murder by 48% and rape 56% during the hour of sunset following the shift to DST in the spring. Doleac and Sanders also estimate that the 2007 DST extension avoided $558 million in social costs, primarily through lower crime rates.
Standard time allows darkness to make up a significant portion of our day, leading to spikes in crime rates and creating a dangerous environment for citizens. A switch to constant DST could reduce opportunities for crimes that often occur in the shadows, helping citizens feel safer throughout their daily lives.
Poor work-life balance
When we set our clocks to standard time in the fall, we often leave class or work after the sun has already set. Though it is only 5:30 p.m., the stars are already shining bright. The increased darkness during standard time adds to the already poor work-life balance of many students. With much time being taken up by studies and work, the lack of daylight after these obligations leaves little room for outdoor activities, hobbies, hanging out with friends, physical activity, or time with family. This is especially true for women and feminine-presenting people, who often feel unsafe venturing out of their homes during dark hours.
The loss of sunlight after the typical hours of school and work leaves little time for activities that help students destress from their hectic lives. A switch to permanent DST would reduce the amount of darkness in the winter months, allowing students more freedom after their daily responsibilities.
Seasonal depression
As the summer heat wanes, leaves fall and Halloween festivities come to an end, many students experience seasonal depression. Often called seasonal affective disorder (SAD), the National Institute of Mental Health explains, “In most cases, SAD symptoms start in the late fall or early winter and go away during the spring and summer, known as winter-pattern SAD.” This condition is related to the shift in daylight hours experienced in the winter months.
Symptoms of SAD can include:
– Persistent sad, anxious, or “empty” mood most of the day, nearly every day, for at least two weeks
– Feelings of hopelessness or pessimism
– Feelings of irritability, frustration or restlessness
– Feelings of guilt, worthlessness or helplessness
– Loss of interest or pleasure in hobbies and activities
– Decreased energy, fatigue or feeling slowed down
– Difficulty concentrating, remembering or making decisions
– Changes in sleep, appetite or unplanned weight changes
– Physical aches or pains, headaches, cramps or digestive problems that do not have a clear physical cause and do not go away with treatment
– Thoughts of death, suicide or suicide attempts
While studies are still being conducted to discover more about this condition, psychiatrists agree that the shorter winter days contribute to the effects of SAD. Our use of standard time allows these winter months to be plagued by darkness, resulting in increased numbers of individuals experiencing SAD. Uniform DST would lengthen winter days, potentially reducing the number of those affected by SAD.
If you or someone you know is experiencing symptoms of SAD, visit Counseling and Psychological Services for short-term mental health services. For immediate crisis support, call 855-854-1747. You can also call or text 988Lifeline.
California awaiting federal action
While most students at CI were not voting age at the time, many might remember that in 2018, Californians voted to abolish the twice-annual time shift and keep our clocks on DST year-round. However, Californians have not seen the effects of this 60-40 vote on Proposition 7. Despite its support, Proposition 7 relies on the federal Uniform Time Act being amended to allow states to transition to permanent DST.
The Uniform Time Act of 1966 established nationwide standards for the observance of daylight-saving time. This act binds states to the biannual time change, with exceptions for Hawaii and Arizona due to geological factors. Until amendments are made to allow states to opt out of time change, California will continue participating in the clock-changing ritual, throwing its citizens out of whack twice a year.
The CI View wishes you a smooth transition into daylight saving time.
