Extending daylight saving time good for all Extending daylight saving time good for all (August 05, 2005)

Congress voted last week to extend daylight-saving time beginning in 2007, meaning we will “spring forward” three weeks earlier on the second Sunday in March, and “fall back” one week later on the first Sunday in November. We welcome the move, the first change since federal law was amended in 1986 to start daylight time at 2 a.m. on the first Sunday in April and end it at 2 a.m. on the last Sunday in October, which we are doing this year. The theory is that by aligning daylight hours to when most people are awake, that we’ll get more out of our days, save energy and have more fun.

A government study showed that we could actually extend daylight time by a month on each end and maximize the times of daylight when we’re awake. In his research on the plan, Pleasanton home loan specialist David Walden said Americans overwhelmingly like Daylight Saving Time. Here in California and especially in Pleasanton, where we are located at the mid-point of the Pacific Time zone, his research showed that there is simply more sunlight in the evenings to enjoy the outdoors and get things done. Additionally, he believes there may be emotional benefits as well. Just think of how dreary it can be sometimes when we leave the office or school in dark. We typically feel better when there’s daylight.

Local merchants and restaurant owners also said they favor the extension because more people will shop later and then stay out to have dinner or refreshments. With many sports being played year-round, restaurant owner Otis Nostrand finds that his business increases significantly when daylight time starts in April. Coaches and their families often stop by for dinner and refreshments after practices and games when it’s daylight instead of heading home as they usually do when it’s dark. Extending daylight time will give him four more weeks of added business, while also allowing games and practices to last a little longer instead of being called because of darkness.

The U.S. Department of Transportation also found that increased daylight hours will save energy on a national scale, with California perhaps benefiting the most. Less electricity will be needed as fewer lights are turned on in the early evening hours. Commuter traffic is also expected to be safer, with both trips to work in the morning and back home at night to generally fall within the daylight hours as a result of the extension. About the only objectors are the airlines, which are concerned that their carefully calculated flight times won’t be as convenient for travelers unless other countries follow the U.S. lead in extending daylight time. Most countries have daylight saving time, although even now many do not start and stop on the same dates, which means the airlines have a problem anyhow. Another objector is the commercial television industry which worries that with more daylight at the end of the day, viewers may give up their sets to enjoy more time outdoors. That’s a trade-off most of us could live with.

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