Two States Are Considering Getting Rid of Daylight Saving Time

If you’ve ever wanted to get rid of daylight saving time, you’re definitely not alone. Maine and Massachusetts are now officially considering bringing an end to the tradition of switching the clock back one hour in the fall and forward one hour in the springtime.

This comes after a bill to move move Maine to the Atlantic Time Zone, an hour ahead of its current Eastern Time Zone position, and no longer observe daylight saving time, passed through state legislature.

“Why do we keep doing this to ourselves?” said Donna Bailey, a Maine state representative who sponsored the bill.

Reasons to Get Rid of Daylight Saving Time

Daylight saving time indeed comes with some pretty hefty costs each year, such as car accidents and heightened stress. On top of that, Maine is in an especially unique position, considering its very northeastern location — the sun can sometimes set as early as 4 p.m. there. So it’s not entirely surprising that many people in Maine feel strongly about getting rid of daylight saving time, even if it means switching their time zone.

But they couldn’t change the time zone immediately. The Senate said that Maine’s neighboring states, Massachusetts and New Hampshire, would have to opt to change their time zone too. Though neither of the states appeared to have immediate plans to change their time zone, now Massachusetts is considering it as well.

Public health advocate Tom Emswiler said if Massachusetts switched to Atlantic time, it could help boost the state’s economy by encouraging college students to study in-state rather than studying in other states that boast sunnier days.

Daylight Saving Time 2017

That said, Bailey admitted that a large part of what’s kept the states practicing daylight saving time is simply tradition.

“The practical matter is this is something that has been in place and does not change easily,” she said.

If Maine and Massachusetts both officially decide to take the leap, New Hampshire may be pressured to follow. In that case, the three northeastern states would join Hawaii and Arizona (except for the Navajo nation), two states that already do not observe daylight saving time.

P.S. For the time being, if you live in the 48 states that do practice daylight saving time, we turn our clocks back one hour on November 5 at 2 a.m. (You’re welcome!)

h/t Quartz

After daylight saving time kicks, in, find out some easy ways to keep your house warm when it gets cold out.

More from FIRST

When Each State Can Expect Winter Weather

Prepare Yourselves for a Warmer-Than-Normal Winter, Experts Say

Where to Sit on a Plane for Less Turbulence, According to a Pilot