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.
-
Drop off locations now open for Operation Christmas Child
Children in need are being blessed this Christmas season through the Samaritan’s Purse project, Operation Christmas Child.After Biden policy shift, Russia says Ukraine fired 6 US-made missiles
Days after President Biden eased restrictions on Ukrainian use of American-made weapons, Russia said it was struck by six U.S.-made missiles.Republican proposes restroom ban as first openly transgender member joins House
Republican Rep. Nancy Mace is proposing banning transgender women from using the women's restroom as Rep. Sarah McBride becomes the House's first openly transgender member.The Success Center at Carriage House East hosts Thanksgiving food pantry
Residents could get turkey, turkey breast, and ham ahead of Thanksgiving thanks to Success Center, nestled inside Carriage House East Apartment Complex.