Daylight Saving Time - Why actually?
When the sun slowly gains strength after the dark winter season and lets more of its pleasant warmth come to us, the European Union once again shows its unity and simultaneously adjusts the clocks: The annual switch to Central European Summer Time (CEST) takes place on the last Sunday in March. Loved by a few, hated by many, daylight saving time has been a fixed part of our seasonal calendar since 1980. On one hand, Germany yielded to the pressure from other European countries, which had been practicing daylight saving time for a longer period, and on the other hand, there was hope for efficient energy savings through the time change against the backdrop of the first oil crisis.> Response of the Federal Government to the Inquiry: Effects of the Time Change following the Introduction of Central European Summer Time
What are the arguments for and against daylight saving time?
+ Daylight Recreation
An essential reason for the introduction of daylight saving time has always been energy savings through less use of artificial light.
Although there is some evidence that this saving does not actually occur, an undisputed advantage is that there is more daylight during the time when most people are active. This means that especially after work, there is an additional hour of sunshine during daylight saving time compared to without it.
The closer a country is to the poles, the greater the effect, as the difference in hours of sunlight between summer and winter increases with increasing distance from the equator.
± Traffic
Many studies show that particularly shortly after the switch to daylight saving time, there is an increase in traffic accidents.
On the other hand, daylight saving time seems to lead overall to a decrease in traffic accidents, as the main rush hours occur during daylight hours.
For public local and long-distance transportation, the time change is indeed a challenge for adhering to schedules. However, it is now very efficiently managed, so it is at least not a very weighty argument against daylight saving time. (more on this under Daylight Saving Time and Traffic).
Perhaps we should simply retain daylight saving time?
± Work
The effects of daylight saving time are very complex, making it difficult to make a decision. Against the switch speaks an increase in work accidents directly after the change, as well as the fact that during these days, many employees complain about fatigue and concentration problems - with corresponding consequences for productivity (more on this under Daylight Saving Time and Work). On the other hand, employees can enjoy more daylight during daylight saving time (if they have a workplace outdoors or at least near a window), which also promotes concentration. In addition, they can enjoy more leisure time in daylight after work, which should foster overall satisfaction. Furthermore, there are many voices in the business sector who support the daylight saving time regulation, as they believe that longer daylight recreation also results in more money being spent on leisure activities - which benefits the economy and thus creates jobs.
- Health
Studies show that there is an increased rate of heart attacks in the days following the switch to daylight saving time. Increased suicide rates are also reported. In addition, there is an increased rate of accidents both in road traffic and in households and workplaces in the days after the change - not to mention the minor issues such as daytime fatigue and concentration disorders. (more on this under Daylight Saving Time and Health)
In summary, the health aspects are clearly against the time change.
- Energy Consumption
The hoped-for energy savings through less demand for artificial lighting cannot be confirmed. In addition, there is an increased energy consumption due to stronger use of heating and increased use of air conditioning. (more on this under Daylight Saving Time and Energy)
Furthermore, artificial lighting has become much more energy-efficient in recent years and is predominantly provided through electric energy, which is increasingly supplied from renewable energy sources. Therefore, the energy consumption argues more against daylight saving time.
Farewell to daylight saving time - but how?
Getting rid of daylight saving time is not as easy as it arrived. Daylight saving time is an EU directive that permanently and universally regulates CEST for all member states. Individual states do not have the choice to escape this regulation domestically.
The latest developments regarding this debate indicate an abolition of daylight saving time. On March 26, 2019, the European Parliament approved a proposal for its abolition. Now an agreement with all member states is still necessary. If the EU reaches an agreement with all countries, then 2021 will probably be the last time the clocks are adjusted. EU member states will then be free to decide whether to continue with daylight saving time or abolish it - which could create a "patchwork of time" where it could happen that during a car journey through three different EU countries, the clock has to be adjusted three times. In order to avoid such a scenario, the transport ministers of the member states will discuss this in the near future. The direction of this development remains to be seen.