Stop the Clock: Let’s End Biannual Time Changes with a Permanent 30-Minute Compromise
Stop the Clock: Let’s End Biannual Time Changes with a Permanent 30-Minute Compromise
The Issue
We are calling on the U.S. Congress to pass the Daylight Act of 2026 (or similar legislation) to permanently end the practice of "springing forward" and "falling back." Our proposal is simple: In July 2026, we shift our clocks back one final time by 30 minutes and stay there forever.
This "split-the-difference" approach gives us the best of both worlds: more morning light than permanent Daylight Saving Time (DST), and more evening light than permanent Standard Time.
Why This Matters
For decades, Americans have been subjected to a "chronobiological whiplash" twice a year. While it may seem like a minor one-hour shift, the data proves it is a public health and safety crisis.
1. It’s a Matter of Life and Death on the Road
The "Spring Forward" transition is particularly lethal. Research shows a 6% increase in fatal car accidents during the workweek following the time change (University of Colorado Boulder). The sudden loss of sleep and the shift in morning darkness lead to an estimated 28 additional traffic deaths every year.
2. Heart Attacks and Strokes Spike
Our internal "circadian clocks" cannot reset instantly. A study published in Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine and data from the American College of Cardiology indicate that heart attacks increase by up to 24% on the Monday following the spring time change. Furthermore, the risk of ischemic stroke increases by 8% during the first two days after both the spring and fall shifts.
3. A Toll on Mental Well-Being
The "Fall Back" transition is no safer. The sudden loss of evening light in November is linked to a 11% increase in depressive episodes (Aarhus University). Disrupted sleep patterns also correlate with higher rates of "deaths of despair," with studies showing a 6% rise in suicide rates in the weeks following the spring transition (Saving Light, Losing Lives study, 2019/2024 updates).
4. Human Biology vs. The Clock
The American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) and the American Medical Association (AMA) have both called for an end to seasonal time changes. Permanent Standard Time is their preference because it aligns with our biology, but many Americans enjoy the extra evening light of DST. A 30-minute permanent shift is the ultimate compromise that protects our health without plunging our winter evenings into total darkness.
Our Demand
We demand that the U.S. Government:
Abolish the Uniform Time Act of 1966 which mandates seasonal shifts.
Implement a final 30-minute adjustment in July 2026 to create a new, permanent "American Middle Time."
Prioritize public safety and biological health over outdated energy-saving myths that no longer apply to the modern world.
Sign this petition to tell Congress: It’s time to stop messing with our internal clocks. Let’s make the 30-minute shift and never look back.
41
The Issue
We are calling on the U.S. Congress to pass the Daylight Act of 2026 (or similar legislation) to permanently end the practice of "springing forward" and "falling back." Our proposal is simple: In July 2026, we shift our clocks back one final time by 30 minutes and stay there forever.
This "split-the-difference" approach gives us the best of both worlds: more morning light than permanent Daylight Saving Time (DST), and more evening light than permanent Standard Time.
Why This Matters
For decades, Americans have been subjected to a "chronobiological whiplash" twice a year. While it may seem like a minor one-hour shift, the data proves it is a public health and safety crisis.
1. It’s a Matter of Life and Death on the Road
The "Spring Forward" transition is particularly lethal. Research shows a 6% increase in fatal car accidents during the workweek following the time change (University of Colorado Boulder). The sudden loss of sleep and the shift in morning darkness lead to an estimated 28 additional traffic deaths every year.
2. Heart Attacks and Strokes Spike
Our internal "circadian clocks" cannot reset instantly. A study published in Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine and data from the American College of Cardiology indicate that heart attacks increase by up to 24% on the Monday following the spring time change. Furthermore, the risk of ischemic stroke increases by 8% during the first two days after both the spring and fall shifts.
3. A Toll on Mental Well-Being
The "Fall Back" transition is no safer. The sudden loss of evening light in November is linked to a 11% increase in depressive episodes (Aarhus University). Disrupted sleep patterns also correlate with higher rates of "deaths of despair," with studies showing a 6% rise in suicide rates in the weeks following the spring transition (Saving Light, Losing Lives study, 2019/2024 updates).
4. Human Biology vs. The Clock
The American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) and the American Medical Association (AMA) have both called for an end to seasonal time changes. Permanent Standard Time is their preference because it aligns with our biology, but many Americans enjoy the extra evening light of DST. A 30-minute permanent shift is the ultimate compromise that protects our health without plunging our winter evenings into total darkness.
Our Demand
We demand that the U.S. Government:
Abolish the Uniform Time Act of 1966 which mandates seasonal shifts.
Implement a final 30-minute adjustment in July 2026 to create a new, permanent "American Middle Time."
Prioritize public safety and biological health over outdated energy-saving myths that no longer apply to the modern world.
Sign this petition to tell Congress: It’s time to stop messing with our internal clocks. Let’s make the 30-minute shift and never look back.
41
Petition created on March 12, 2026