Millions of people will be thrilled to hear that Elon Musk is taking an interest in ending daylight saving time. The twice-a-year clock change has long been a source of frustration, with many arguing it disrupts sleep and serves no real purpose. Now, Musk has sparked a conversation that could push the issue further into the spotlight.
Elon Musk polled X users about ending daylight saving time.
He asked, "If daylight savings [sic] time is canceled, do you prefer" an hour earlier or later?
About 58% voted for an hour later. Nearly 42% chose an hour earlier. Over 1.2 million users had voted by Thursday morning.
The results suggest most prefer permanent daylight saving time over standard time year-round.
Musk’s poll reignited a long-running debate in the U.S. Lawmakers have considered ending the twice-yearly clock changes.
The Uniform Time Act of 1966 standardized DST. It required all states to follow the practice, except Arizona and Hawaii, which opted out.
A permanent switch would need an act of Congress. Eighteen states have passed laws supporting permanent DST if Congress allows it.
In 2022, the Senate passed the Sunshine Protection Act to make DST permanent. But the bill stalled in the House. Some senators later said they would have objected had they known it was up for a vote.
Since then, multiple bills have been introduced. Some propose permanent DST, others want states to decide, and some push for permanent standard time.
A Congressional Research Service report analyzed DST’s effects. A 1975 study found no major energy savings or traffic fatality changes.
It noted a slight rise in school-age fatalities between January and April 1974 when year-round DST was in place. But March and April data showed no difference.
Some studies suggest DST reduces accidents in the long run. Others found no significant impact, saying other factors might play a role.
A 2008 Department of Energy study found extended DST cut electricity use by 0.03%. It couldn’t determine effects on gas consumption or traffic.
Health studies link clock changes to heart risks. A 2013 study found DST shifts might briefly raise heart attack risks.
The American Academy of Sleep Medicine recommended a fixed year-round time in 2020. It argued standard time best aligns with human circadian rhythms and benefits public health.