Why Permanent Daylight Savings Time Remains Possible But Unlikely

People probably feel rested after the extra hour of sleep communities gained Saturday night. However, U.S. lawmakers are still considering making daylight saving time permanent. Leaders in healthcare and state government in Oklahoma explained why the measure offers pros and cons for public health and safety.

Time and time again Americans have turned their clocks back and forth. Last year, lawmakers in the U.S. Senate passed the Sunshine Protection Act to keep daylight saving time forever. Oklahoma Rep. Mickey Dollens, D-Oklahoma City, said permanent daylight saving time has been argued since the 1970s.

“I’m actually in favor of the current process,” Dollens said. “It created a lot of problems and issues.”

If we kept daylight saving time for good there would be darker mornings – which can affect public safety.

“I live right next to a school, and I see kids walking to school in the dark, but I know that after Sunday they won’t be,” Dollens said.

Dr. Joanne Skaggs said the time shift affects an important part of people’s lives.

"Sleep. Sleep is so essential,” Skaggs said.

Changing the clock disrupts the time people need to rest.

“Lack of sleep can contribute to your cognitive abilities,” Skaggs said. “It can affect your cardiovascular health.”

She said consistency with time would help.

“The biggest take-home message is not changing time,” Skaggs said.

In the meantime, Dr. Skaggs recommends people adjust their schedules.

“Backing your bedtime up,” Skaggs said. Changing the time you get up in the morning so it’s not a shock to your system.”

Public safety is about being in the right place at the right time, Dollens said.

“The most important thing is student safety and making sure that kids can see earlier in the morning,” Dollens said.

It's one reason the measure pauses before it reaches President Joe Biden’s desk.

“There’s bills that are passed and unintended consequences could come out as a result,” Dollens said.

As far as the future of the Sunshine Protection Act – well -- only time will tell. Florida Sen. Marco Rubio re-introduced the bill in March of this year. The bill was referred to committee, where it has remained idle.