SUGAR LAND, Texas – The end of the twice-yearly time change could come next year for the United States. That’s if the House of Representatives passes the ‘Sunshine Protection Act’ that breezed through the Senate on a unanimous vote.
Many people tell us they support the move to make Daylight Saving Time permanent.
“It’s almost depressing, you walk out at 5:15, 5:30 [saying], ‘Aw it’s dark. What am I going to do?” asked Sugar Land resident Dale Calloway.
Diana Russell also wants the proposal to become law. But not necessarily so she’ll have more time after work. She believes it could improve safety.
“It brings a lot more light [around] the evening time when you tend to have more people out and about, going about their business, as well as with the children and their safety on the street,” Russell said.
Board Certified Neurologist Dr. Nathaniel Watson with the American Academy of Sleep Medicine says there is a downside. He says if Daylight Saving Time becomes permanent, it could impact kids’ sleep patterns.
“We’re going to be putting them to bed when it’s lighter out at night. You’re going to try to convince your child it’s bedtime when light is streaming in through their windows,” Watson said. “There’s no doubt that this is going to have a negative impact of the sleep on our children.”
Watson does believe there should be a time shift but to permanent standard time.
“That’s a better choice for human health and wellbeing,” he said.
The American Academy of Sleep Medicine released a statement reading in part, “current evidence best supports the adoption of year-round standard time, which aligns best with human circadian biology and provides distinct benefits for public health and safety.”