Daylight savings 2025: The United States is set to “spring forward” today, on March 9, 2025, and former President Donald Trump has weighed in on the ongoing debate over Daylight Saving Time (DST), calling it a “50/50 issue.” While Trump previously voiced opposition to DST, labeling it “costly to the Nation” in a December 2024 social media post, his recent remarks suggest a shift in stance, acknowledging that public opinion remains sharply divided.
The debate over DST—a system that moves clocks forward in spring and back in fall—has persisted for decades, with proponents citing longer evening daylight hours and opponents arguing for brighter mornings, particularly for schoolchildren. Trump’s comments reflect the complexity of legislating time standards, despite years of bipartisan efforts to abolish or make DST permanent.
The Sunshine Protection Act, a legislative proposal to make DST permanent, has been reintroduced five times since 2018, with support from both Democrats and Republicans. However, opposition remains strong from those who prefer standard time, arguing that permanent DST would mean darker winter mornings, negatively impacting students and early commuters.
What a change in school timings would mean: Balancing safety and sleep
A 2015 Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine study found that high school students lose an average of 32 minutes of sleep nightly post-DST transition, totaling nearly three hours weekly. This deficit correlates with reduced focus and academic performance. If DST becomes permanent, schools in northern states could start classes in darkness during winter, raising safety concerns for students commuting early. Conversely, reverting to permanent standard time might ease sleep disruptions but reduce afternoon daylight for extracurricular activities. Some districts may adjust start times, though logistical challenges—such as coordinating bus schedules—persist.
Office hours: Productivity and health costs
Workplace productivity declines sharply after the spring transition. A 20-year analysis of U.S. mines revealed a 5.7% spike in injuries and a 67.6% increase in lost workdays post-DST. Sleep-deprived employees also engage in more cyberloafing, with a 6.4% rise in leisure browsing. Aligning work hours with natural light could mitigate these effects. For instance, standard time promotes earlier sunlight exposure, stabilizing melatonin production and reducing risks of heart attacks, strokes, and seasonal depression. Companies may adopt flexible hours or phased adjustments to ease the transition.
Economic and health trade-offs of DST
The financial toll of DST is multifaceted. While proponents argue it reduces energy consumption, studies estimate a $434 million annual loss in U.S. productivity due to sleep disruptions6. Health care costs also rise, with sleep deprivation linked to a 16% increase in road accidents and higher rates of workplace errors. Conversely, permanent standard time could prevent up to 5,000 suicides and 1,300 traffic deaths yearly by stabilizing mental health and alertness.
