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.
-
New Lawrence bookstore makes reading affordable while tackling literacy hap
As Red Dog Books brings low-cost books and volunteer opportunities to the community, local nonprofit RISE INDY highlights the urgent need to improve literacy rates across Marion County.Alleged Monon Trail attacker charged in reported 2016 child sexual assault
The man charged in connection with two Monon Trail sexual assaults has now been charged in a 2016 child sexual assault case in Lawrence.Dollar For helps connect Hoosiers to hospital financial assistance programs
Hospital financial assistance, also known as Charity Care, is available in Indiana. The issue is that many Hoosiers are unaware.Mental health groups push suicide prevention on awareness day
Families and mental health advocates are recognizing World Suicide Prevention Day by committing to take action to prevent future suicides.