facebook rss twitter

QOTW: Should daylight saving time be abolished?

by Parm Mann on 3 April 2015, 16:30

Quick Link: HEXUS.net/qacqg2

Add to My Vault: x

Areas using DST are marked in blue, areas that never have are marked in red,
and those that once did but have since stopped are marked in orange.


Found yourself yawning more than usual this week? You might be adjusting to DST, as it's that time of year when the clocks spring forward an hour, making light evenings last that little bit longer.

Daylight saving time has been used in various countries since the early 20th century, and first became prominent throughout Europe during World War I as a means to conserve coal. DST was then abolished by numerous nations, only to return during World War II, following which it became widely adopted in the 1970s in response to the energy crisis.

The practise of shifting clocks twice a year has become the norm for a great number of people, many of whom wouldn't remember it any other way, but there now appears to be growing debate over the virtues of DST. Those in favour tend to claim energy savings, reduced traffic accidents and less crime, while those against argue that energy savings are a myth, and that if there are benefits, shouldn't DST run all-year round?

It's a topical debate with potential repercussions around the globe, so let's hear your opinion: should daylight saving time be abolished? Let us know your thoughts using the comments facility below.



Have a tech-related question you'd like to see featured as the HEXUS QOTW? Send it over using our contact form and it may well appear! We're always open to ideas, and while we can't promise that all questions will be published, we'd love to hear your suggestions.



HEXUS Forums :: 38 Comments

Login with Forum Account

Don't have an account? Register today!
I would prefer for daylight saving to be abolished. Never really understand why we need it these days. Even though all my clocks automatically update so that isn't an issue. It seems to be just an outdated tradition that is no longer needed and should be abolished.
As for road accidents, maybe just maybe that effected yesteryear but with better headlights and improved street lighting I dont see why that is used as an argument and I personally don't believe in energy savings but I haven't looked into it that much. I'm only 27 so I've been doing it all my life I'd rather not do it
Yes…. IIRC for a trial umpteen years ago, the clocks went forward by 2 hours and it was lovely in summer when it didn't get dark till about 11:30. It is only as it is now mainly for the people of Scotland (and before that for farmers in WW1) and as about 50% don't want to be part of the UK we should think about being in sync with the EU.
I've never understood why schools/businesses can't just shift their working hours if it really makes such a difference to them? If farmers want to use the sunlight at different times of day then get up earlier/later to suit it…does it really make such a difference that it's ‘officially’ changed on a national level? Same for schools worried about children walking to school in the dark - can't they just take the decision (perhaps on a regional level or even for each school individually in these days of ‘free’ schools and increased autonomy) to alter school hours slightly?
I'm with John Oliver, How is this still a thing.

It needs to be killed off. Jet lagging the entire population a country twice a year is idiocy.

I live in Scotland, I don't care just make it GMT and have done with it.