To Schedule an Appointment, Call Us Toll Free at 1.877.873.8208 or Email Us for a Prompt Response.
Jan Dils
We all know the “spring forward, fall back” mantra when it comes time to change our clocks for Daylight Saving’s Time. Congress will occasionally toy with the idea of changing the law so that people don’t have the annual disruptions. So why do we still have DST? Is it helpful for drivers, workers, and students, or does it lead to more car crashes and other personal injury accidents? Will it ever be changed?
In the 1880s, railroad companies created “time zones” to help keep train schedules synchronized. Congress made them law in 1918, following similar laws in Europe after World War I. Daylight “savings” time was added to keep sunrise and sunset at about the same time each day. Without the time change, shorter days in winter and longer days in summer mean late sunrises and early sunsets. This is meant to adjust the clock so that our internal clock aligns with the natural sunrise and sunset.
Everyone knows the effects of resetting the clock twice a year. You may find that you’re sleepy, confused, and “jet lagged” in the days following the change. This is not just in your mind. Some worrying issues that researchers have noticed after time-switches have included:
In 1974, during the oil shock crisis, we experimented with year-round DST. Touted as an energy-saving measure, the darker mornings during school-hour commutes were blamed for the deaths of eight children, and the law was repealed.
Changes in sleep patterns and darker morning commutes can create unexpected safety risks after the clock shifts. When drivers are tired, distracted, or adjusting to reduced visibility, the likelihood of a collision increases. Pedestrians, cyclists, and schoolchildren are also at higher risk during the week following the transition.
At Jan Dils Attorneys at Law, we see the real-world impact of Daylight Savings Time through the Personal Injury cases we handle. Fatigue-related crashes, workplace injuries caused by reduced alertness, and falls due to darker morning conditions can all lead to serious harm. When another person fails to drive safely, follow safety protocols, or take reasonable precautions during the transition, you may have a legal claim for the injuries you suffer.
Our team can investigate whether a driver’s fatigue, rushed behavior, or inattention contributed to the accident. If negligence played a role, we can help you pursue compensation for medical care, lost wages, and the effects the injury has on your daily life.
While Congress continues to try to fix DST, we still must deal with the time change twice a year, for now. Arizona and some individual counties practice year-round Standard Time, and most Americans favor ending it altogether.
We at Jan Dils, Attorney at Law recommend you take a few precautions before springing forward or falling back. Get plenty of sleep during and after the transition and get as much natural light as you can. Both will help your internal clock reset itself. If you are injured because someone was negligent or experiencing the effects of the time change, call us and speak with an attorney about compensation.
To Schedule an Appointment, Call Us Toll Free at 1.877.873.8208 or Email Us for a Prompt Response.
Jan Dils, Attorneys at Law
