Remember, Daylight Saving Time begins this Sunday, March 11th at 2am. Be sure to “Spring Forward” and set your clocks ahead an hour!
What is Daylight Saving Time? Here are a few FAQs and their answers:
Q: Why do we do this every year in March and November, anyway?
A: Short answer: To give us an extra hour of sunshine in the warmest months of the year. Long answer: Daylight saving time was established in the Act of March 19,1918, sometimes called the Standard Time Act. DST was repealed in 1919, then reestablished during World War II. The 1966 Uniform Time act provided standardization in the dates DST is observed, but local exemptions were permitted. Since then, the start date has shifted several times, beginning as early as January during the energy crisis years in the ’70s. As of 2007, DST starts on the second Sunday in March, and ends on the first Sunday in November.
Q: Are there any benefits to DST other than extra sunshine?
A: Proponents say that it provides more time in the day for exercise and socialization, which makes people happier. Some say that the extra hour increases visibility and helps decrease traffic accidents, while others say that the lost hour of sleep can actually increase accidents. The extra daylight also may save energy, decreasing the amont of time that we use lights and appliances — according to some. Other studies have found that DST has had little effect on energy consumption. The tourism industry believes that DST gives them a boost, and a founder of the Daylight Saving Coalition once testified in Congress that fast-food restaurants sell more french fries in DST.
Q: Is there anything else I should do when my clocks change on Sunday?
A: Some suggest that the day is a good reminder to check your smoke detectors and create a home preparedness kit.
Check out the whole article here: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/arts-post/post/daylight-saving-time-frequently-asked-questions/2012/03/09/gIQAH4JY1R_blog.html
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