INDIANAPOLIS — A bill passed this week in the U.S. Senate would make Daylight Saving Time permanent.
It's been a popular debate in Indiana, but some health experts have concerns.
"The time in which we're making that transition from standard time and daylight saving time, we generally observe a number of medical and psychiatric conditions," Dr. Alon Avidan, a professor in the UCLA Department of Neurology, said.
Dr. Avidan says issues that arise when springing forward include doctors making more medical mistakes, more deadly heart issues and an increased risk of depression and suicide. He says for some, those issues don't go away for as long as daylight saving time occurs.
Other experts, like David Reich with the National Road and Safety Foundation, say because we lose an hour of sleep and it's darker in the morning, there could be an increased risk of motor vehicle crashes.
If the law were in effect for Christmas 2022, the sun wouldn't rise until 9:04 a.m. If passed and signed by President Joe Biden, the new law would take effect in November 2023 to give time for industries to adjust.
"We need more data, and because we don't have data, I don't think you can make legislation that is very rigid," Dr. Avidan said.
Currently, Arizona and Hawaii are the only two states that don't observe Daylight Saving Time.
-
Shooting in Fountain Square leaves 1 critically injured
One person is in critical condition after being shot at Virginia Avenue and Shelby Street on Sunday afternoon.One shot, killed on Indy’s northwest side
Police are investigating after one person was shot and killed on the north west side of Indianapolis Saturday night.Hart, Anunoby listed as questionable to play for Knicks against the Pacers
Starting forwards Josh Hart and OG Anunoby are both listed as questionable to play for the New York Knicks on Sunday in Game 7 against the Indiana Pacers.Greenfield anti-bullying rally pushes for change following death of 10-year-old
As the community mourns, they're also pushing for change and enforcement of the district's anti-bullying policy in place.