Changing the clocks twice a year remains one of the quirks of modern life that many Americans question. Why do they change the time? The practice, known as Daylight Saving Time (DST), is not about whimsy — it’s rooted in energy needs, public policy, and cultural debate. In this article you’ll learn the full history, the benefits and drawbacks, recent data, and whether clock-shifting might finally end.
In this article I explain how and why we change time, reveal who first instituted it, examine the pros and cons backed by concrete data, and explore the future of the practice.
The Origin of Clock Changes
The idea of shifting clocks is old. Some trace the notion back to Benjamin Franklin in 1784, when he jokingly suggested the French could rise earlier to save candles. Later, in 1895, New Zealand entomologist George Hudson proposed a two-hour seasonal shift so he’d have extra daylight for bug collecting. Then in 1907, British builder William Willett published The Waste of Daylight, urging clock change to make better use of light.
But the practice first became official during wartime. In 1916, Germany and Austria advanced clocks to save fuel in World War I. Soon thereafter, the U.S. passed the Standard Time Act in March 1918, formally introducing DST as a wartime measure and organizing U.S. time zones. That DST clause was later repealed, restored during World War II, and then became standardized in 1966 with the Uniform Time Act. Over time, rules adjusted, and in 2005, the U.S. extended DST—now running from the second Sunday in March to the first Sunday in November.
How Clock Changes Work
In spring we “spring forward,” moving clocks ahead one hour (usually at 2:00 AM). That hour disappears. In fall we “fall back,” setting clocks back one hour, thus gaining an extra hour.
In the U.S., the dates are fixed:
- DST begins second Sunday in March
- DST ends first Sunday in November
This pattern gives about 34 weeks (238 days) of DST annually — roughly 65% of the year under daylight saving time.
Some states and territories opt out entirely. Hawaii and much of Arizona stay on standard time year-round. Other jurisdictions, like U.S. territories, also typically forego clock shifting.
Why Change the Time? The Core Arguments
The rationale for clock shifts falls into several categories:
- Energy Conservation
One of the original motives: shifting daylight later reduces evening lighting needs, saving electricity and fuel. During World Wars and energy crises, this was a serious incentive. In modern times, however, evidence is mixed: while lighting demand may drop, air conditioning and heating usage may offset those gains. Some studies show modest energy savings, others show negligible effects. - Better Use of Daylight
By aligning active hours with daylight, people can enjoy more evening sunlight. This supports outdoor recreation, retail activity, and general well-being. - Economic & Industrial Interests
Longer evenings may drive consumer spending and benefit sectors like tourism, sports, and retail. Some analyses suggest that when more daylight remains after work, people go out more, shop, dine, or engage in leisure. - Public Safety & Crime Reduction
Some argue that lighter evenings reduce crime (less darkness during active hours) and lower traffic accidents, although studies are inconclusive. Others find that the abrupt shift may temporarily spike accident risk, especially in the spring shift. In fact, research notes fatal traffic accident risk increases by ~6% after the spring transition—an effect partly tied to the 2007 extension of DST. - Biological & Health Effects
Clock changes disrupt circadian rhythms. The shift can lead to sleep loss, fatigue, mood disturbance, and even spikes in heart attacks or strokes immediately following transitions. Some studies attribute increased accidents, reduced productivity, and health impacts directly to shifting clocks rather than to whether we stay in DST or standard time. - Tradition & Political Momentum
Over the years, inertia set in. Many states legislate around rather than overhauling the practice. Proposals to end the practice have emerged repeatedly, but political consensus remains elusive.
Critiques, Controversies, and Drawbacks
Despite purported benefits, clock changes face criticism:
- Minimal energy gains. Many modern studies suggest savings are minor or null due to offsets by heating/cooling.
- Disruption and health risk. The abrupt shift leads to circadian misalignment, increased cardiac risk, mood and vigilance issues.
- Morning darkness. In the darker months, later sunrises make early daylight scarce; children may wait for school buses in dark conditions.
- Inconsistency across states. Some states abstain; others attempt to fix on DST or standard time, creating potential confusion.
- Public opinion shifting. Surveys show many Americans favor ending clock changes. The 1974 experiment with year-round DST lasted only months before being repealed due to public dissatisfaction with dark winter mornings.
Recent Trends & Legislative Moves
Efforts to end the ritual continue. In 2022, the U.S. Senate passed the Sunshine Protection Act, aiming to make DST permanent. But the House never passed it. If adopted, Americans would adjust clocks one final time and remain in daylight saving mode all year. Critics insist standard time better aligns with human biology; proponents emphasize brighter evenings and boosted commerce.
In 2025, former President Trump urged Congress again to make DST permanent. Meanwhile, states such as Texas have passed measures to adopt “Texas Time,” awaiting federal approval. Public health modeling even suggests that abandoning biannual transitions could prevent over 300,000 strokes annually nationwide.
Polls show up to 75% of Americans favor eliminating the shifts. Among those, many back permanent standard time over perpetual DST. The debate remains whether we lock on light evenings or biological alignment.
Should We End the Clock Shifts? What’s Next
Eliminating the time change has pros and cons. Locking into permanent standard time prioritizes our circadian health; locking into permanent DST emphasizes social evening daylight. Medical experts tend to prefer standard time for aligning biology with sunrise. Others argue DST boosts evening safety and economy.
Some say a hybrid: allow each state to choose. Yet federal law currently prohibits states from staying on DST year-round. Only Congress can change that.
Given growing evidence of health risks and weak energy benefits, many analysts predict that abolition of the clock change is likely — just not imminent. The path forward may involve incremental reforms, pilot policies, or regional coordination.
Conclusion
We change the time twice a year because of a century-old practice aimed at energy conservation, daylight optimization, and historical contingencies. Over time, the benefits have become disputed, and the drawbacks — particularly disruptions to sleep and health — are more evident.
As legislative momentum and public sentiment build against clock shifting, we may soon leave “spring forward, fall back” behind. But until Congress acts, we’ll continue to adjust our clocks, suffer temporary grogginess, and debate the best way forward.