Synthesis Essay On Daylight Saving Time

Daylight Saving Time

Daylight saving time has been an effective time change method for almost a century in the United States. Daylight saving time first occurred in 1918 during World War 1 as an effort to save energy. In modern day it occurs twice a year, once in the spring and once in the fall, which helps with conserve energy, prevent traffic occurrences, and reduce crime. As many United States citizens know, daylight saving time has been credited to reduction in energy usage for many consecutive years. Many studies have been conducted to test this statement’s validity, as the U.S. Department of Transportation studied energy conservation during daylight saving time in the 1970s, concluding that “America’s electricity usage is reduced by about one percent during each day that daylight savings time is in effect.” (Source B) This is a huge statement as it does not say one percent over the period of daylight saving, but one percent per day of daylight saving. Another more recent study by DOT (U.S. Department of Transportation) in 2005 has shown that “the total electricity savings associated with DST (daylight saving time) amounted to about 1 percent in spring and fall, corresponding to national savings of forty to fifty megawatt hours per day.” (Source C) Now although this number is much more significant, there is a

As stated in the previous paragraph, DST allows for more daylight, which is proven to reduce crime rate in general. To test this theory of daylight crime reduction, the DOT conducted another study in Washington, D.C. “This study found that violent crime rate was reduced by 10-13 percent during periods of daylight saving time.” (Source C) This crime reduction is a result of DST in that it allows for more daylight time for people returning home from work, meals, or any other afternoon