The Silent Killer: Daylight Saving Time

Having to wake up an hour earlier due to Daylight Saving Time is more than just a little annoying. The L.A. Times recently published a story discussing the danger of turning our clocks forward. For instance, on the Monday following "springing forward:"

• traffic accidents increase by 8.6% and there is a significant increase in the number of fatal accidents,
• workplace accidents are more common and severe, and
• more heart attacks occur.

The spring time change has also linked to reduced SAT scores, and sleep deprivation more generally has been linked to a host of additional mental and physiological issues. Scientific American writes that although the importance of DST's goal (conserving energy by decreasing reliance on artificial lighting) has all but evaporated due to the technological changes of the past century, governments have been slow to course-correct.