PERMANENT DAYLIGHT SAVING TIME?

The Senate voted this week to end the biannual practice of “spring forward” and “fall back” under a bill that would make daylight saving time permanent — a move that reflects the increasingly popular view that the twice-yearly disruption hurts sleep and poses health and safety risks. Sen. Whitehouse (D-RI) and Sen. Rubio (R-Fla) co-sponsored the “Sunshine Protection Act, which passed by unanimous consent. Experts argue that switching clocks back and forthevery spring and fall has led to increased heart attacks and strokes, in addition to hurting retailers by curbing daylight shopping hours. Other senators argued that the measure is broadly popular and would increase safety. Nearly two-thirds of Americans want to stop the twice-per-year clock change, and more than 40 states, including Georgia, are considering their own changes to end the shifting, pending federal legislation. A House panel considered whether to pass a similar bill for permanent daylight saving time, although a neurologist testified that it would be healthier to adopt permanent standard time instead, citing research into circadian rhythms and release of hormones such as cortisol.

Daylight saving time was first adopted in the United States a century ago (see our blogs: https://www.dmthomaslaw.com/Personal-Injury-Blog/2017/March/Daylight-Saving-Times-Deadly-Impact.aspx ; and https://www.dmthomaslaw.com/Personal-Injury-Blog/2021/November/Time-Maneuvers-Dark-Days-Ahead.aspx ) but has been revised repeatedly by lawmakers trying to strike the right balance. The United States in 1974 did move to permanent daylight saving time — a plan backed by President Richard M. Nixon, who argued that it would help conserve energy amid the energycrisis — but the measure was quickly rolled back amid complaints about children going to school in the dark,increased risk of early-morning traffic accidents and fading support. Almost 50 years later, however, there is broad public approval, supported by data, that staying on one time all year round is safer, healthier, and better for businesses.

IMPACT ON NIGHT-DRIVING ACCIDENTS INVOLVING TEENAGERS

Decreasing night driving, especially for teens, is a worthwhile safety goal. While we do only one quarter of our driving at night, 50% of traffic deaths occur during night hours. It doesn't matter whether the road is familiar or not; driving at night is always more dangerous.

Despite 60 percent less traffic on the roads, more than 40 percent of all fatal car accidents occur at night. A Centers for Disease Control and Prevention study compared the times that teenagers drive with the times that they experience accidents. The researchers found that a disproportionate number of these accidents occur during nighttime driving hours. Troublingly, about a third of fatal crashes involving teens happen after dark, even though the majority of the driving that teenagers do takes place during the day.

Several factors may make night driving especially dangerous for younger and inexperienced drivers. The National Safety Council points to the following safety hazards:

PROTECTING TEEN DRIVERS

The behavior of other motorists can also make nighttime driving more dangerous. The NSC notes that drivers are more likely to be fatigued after dark. Additionally, a greater number of intoxicated drivers are typically out at night than during the day. These findings suggest that laws limiting teens from driving at night may significantly help reduce crashes among drivers in this age group. Already, the majority of states enforce some type of night driving restriction. Here in Georgia, it is illegal for teenagers to drive between midnight and 5 a.m. Still, broader restrictions may be necessary.

In Georgia, TARPA or the Teen and Adult Driver Responsibility Act, is a graduated licensing program for teens 15-18 years old. It allows teens in that age group to apply for and obtain driver’s permits and licenses in certain categories, and each category has different restrictions associated with it. See, dds.georgia.gov “Teen Driving Laws.” Also in Georgia, Joshua's Law states that a new driver age 16-18 may only drive with family members (no peer passengers) for the first six months following the issuance of a driver's license. During the second 6-month period, a new driver can have only one peer passenger in the vehicle.

Tellingly, the recent CDC study found that over half of the fatal car crashes that teens were involved in at night occurred before midnight, during driving hours that are legal in Georgia and many other states. This indicates that an earlier driving curfew may be appropriate. According to National Public Radio, based on other research, one non-profit highway safety group has recommended that teens not be permitted to drive unsupervised after 8 p.m.

Will an extra hour of daylight help to alleviate or at least lower the number of traffic accidents that occur due to lower visibility, driver fatigue and night blindness? Research suggests that extending daylight will help, and that at the very least not changing the time twice a year will eliminate the accidents and adverse health events that occur around daylight saving time changes.

CONTACT YOUR ATTORNEY

If you or someone you know has been injured in a night-driving accident, contact Dave Thomas at The Thomas Law Firm for a free consultation regarding your legal rights.