Get your clocks ready! Daylight saving time is coming this weekend, and with it, a lost hour of sleep.
When is daylight saving time?
Daylight saving time begins on Sunday, March 12, this year, when clocks in the U.S. will jump to 3 a.m. once the short hand strikes 2 a.m.
The change will be in effect until Sunday, Nov. 5, at 2 a.m., when clocks are scheduled to fall back to 1 a.m. More on that in a minute.
Daylight saving time details:Daylight saving time is coming up fast. Here’s when Delaware will spring forward
Is daylight saving time going away?
Congress is weighing the Sunshine Protection Act, a bill that would establish daylight saving time federally year round.
Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., reintroduced legislation Thursday, March 2, to make daylight saving permanent nationwide.
More than half the states have signaled support for the bill.
Florida’s Legislature became the first in 2018 to pass a law that would make daylight saving time permanent should the federal government allow it. It was approved by the Senate last year but stalled in the House and then expired in the last congressional session.
Where does Delaware stand on daylight saving time?
Legislators in Delaware have passed a bill showing support for an end to falling back each November.
The bill proposes that Delaware would join the Atlantic Time Zone and adopt daylight saving time permanently, but the support is contingent upon New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Maryland also approving the measure.
Objections to permanent daylight saving time
Opponents of permanent daylight saving time supporters say extending sunlight later into the evening will result in greater sleep loss and pose a public health threat.
If approved by Congress and voted into law, daylight saving time would become the official standard time at 2 a.m. on Nov. 5, 2023, according to USA TODAY. That would mean no more changing the clocks forward or back. (And no more related gifs and memes.)
States may exempt themselves by state law in accordance with Uniform Time Act, as amended.
Do you think we should stop falling back?
What do you think about making daylight saving time permanent?
Let us know by voting in our poll.
We will report on the results soon in a future story.
What Delawareans should do for daylight saving time
For now, Delaware remains a participant of daylight saving time and will spring forward this Sunday.
Most of our computers, smartphones and DVRs automatically change the time for us, but unless you have smart appliances, microwaves and ovens are on the short list of household items that will need a manual adjustment, as well as manual clocks.
If the thought of losing that hour of sleep already has you feeling groggy, setting an early bedtime might be another thing to add to your to-do list this weekend.
Got a tip or a story idea? Contact Krys’tal Griffin at kgriffin@delawareonline.com.
Here are some Spring Ahead stories
Pass the tissues:Yes, Delaware’s spring allergy season is starting now and getting longer. Here’s why.
Spring fun:Paul McCartney & Bruno Mars: Delaware’s 7 hot tribute acts in spring & summer
Get out:Bye, boredom: Can’t-miss Delaware festivals & events coming this spring
More:Wilmington’s Chancery Market to open outdoor patio this spring
