This article is reproduced with permission from The Conversation, a platform discussing the latest studies.

The investigation into the tragic 1986 Space Shuttle Challenger explosion showed that crucial decision-makers were severely sleep-deprived, which likely clouded their decision-making abilities. Similarly, the devastating 1989 Exxon Valdez oil spill was partly blamed on the third mate’s severe lack of sleep, which impaired his ability to steer the ship safely.

While these catastrophic events were not directly caused by daylight saving time, their links to sleep deprivation are undeniable and highlight the broader risks associated with sleep-related errors. Furthermore, research overwhelmingly demonstrates that the annual transition to daylight saving time aggravates these dangers by disrupting sleep for millions, thereby increasing the risk of accidents and severe health outcomes.

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Consider a world where simply aligning our clocks with the sun’s natural cycles could enhance public safety, prevent accidents, and boost mental health. The issue extends beyond losing an hour of sleep; minor disruptions can have significant repercussions on our health, productivity, and even the futures of our children.

As a neurologist specializing in sleep health, I’ve witnessed the detrimental effects of sleep deprivation firsthand. The personal and economic impacts are profound.

Despite clear evidence supporting improved sleep policies, such as starting school later to match teens’ natural sleep cycles and adopting permanent standard time, these solutions are often ignored in policy debates.

The High Cost of Sleep Deprivation

Chronic lack of sleep does more than make people feel tired—it incurs an estimated annual cost of US$411 billion in lost productivity and healthcare expenses. Inadequate sleep results in workplace errors, traffic accidents, and long-term health conditions that burden businesses, families, and the economy at large.

Fortunately, there are viable solutions. Implementing smarter sleep policies, such as sticking to permanent standard time and delaying school start times, can enhance efficiency, improve health outcomes, and save lives.

Awakening Before Dawn

Teenagers in the U.S. are among the most sleep-deprived individuals, with studies indicating that between 71% to 84% of high school students are not getting enough sleep.

This issue is largely due to early school start times, which compel teens to wake up before their biological clocks are ready. The sight of a teenager struggling to get up before dawn, hurriedly leaving home without breakfast, and waiting in the dark for the school bus is a common one.

With over 80% of U.S. middle and high schools starting before 8:30 a.m. and some districts scheduling bus pickups as early as 5 a.m., teenagers are forced to operate at suboptimal times, contrary to their natural circadian rhythms.

Falling Grades, Sleepy Driving, and Despair

Sleep-deprived teenagers exhibit lower academic performance, increased rates of vehicular accidents due to drowsy driving, higher substance abuse, and greater incidences of depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts.

Economic studies suggest that pushing school start times to 8:30 a.m. or later could contribute an additional $8.6 billion to the economy within just two years, primarily through higher graduation rates.

Although there are concerns about higher transportation costs, some districts have managed to mitigate these through optimized bus routing, using advanced algorithms to reduce the number of buses needed and cut costs, thus making these changes financially feasible or even beneficial.

Increased Heart Attacks, Accidents, and Suicides

The shift to daylight saving time each March disrupts sleep and is linked to a notable rise in heart attacks, accidents, and suicides, particularly among those already at risk for depression.

Standard time, which aligns more closely with the human body’s natural circadian rhythm, contrasts with daylight saving time, which artificially extends daylight into the evening, delaying sleep. Adopting permanent standard time could reduce seasonal depression, decrease workplace and traffic accidents, and potentially prevent up to 1,300 traffic fatalities and 5,000 suicides each year.

Changing Times

The U.S. briefly experimented with permanent daylight saving time in 1974, but it was quickly abandoned due to widespread dissatisfaction and negative health impacts. Similar attempts in Russia, the UK, and Portugal were also short-lived.

These experiences provide concrete evidence that permanent daylight saving time is not viable due to its adverse effects on public health and safety. Recent debates, driven by proposals like the Sunshine Protection Act, overlook these concerns by promoting permanent daylight saving time, which eliminates critical morning light essential for circadian rhythm regulation.

However, there are signs of progress. Hundreds of school districts have moved to later start times, and states like California and Florida have passed laws mandating later school starts. Permanent standard time and later school start times are not radical proposals but practical, science-backed measures that align with human biology. While federal action is needed for nationwide changes, states can adopt permanent standard time independently, as seen in Arizona and Hawaii.

This article was initially published on The Conversation. Read the original article.