No more time changes? Senator Griffo pushes legislation to end practice of switching the clocks forward and back in New York

ALBANY, NY- We just changed our clocks ahead to Daylight Saving Time (DST) in New York State and one of our North Country lawmakers is continuing his efforts to leave it there.

Following the enactment of the federal Uniform Time Act in 1966, most Americans, including New Yorkers, advance their clocks by an hour in the warmer months, so that it gets dark later, while moving their clocks back an hour in the fall, too.

However, it is no secret that the time change has been a grumbling point for several New Yorkers and Americans alike, and there is data suggesting that changing the clocks can result in extreme drowsiness, especially during the spring time change.

“It’s time to stop ‘falling back’ or ‘springing forward’ each year,” said New York State Senator Joe Griffo.

“Studies and research have indicated that are many benefits to permanent daylight saving time, including improving health, enhancing public safety, reducing accidents and providing a needed boost for our economy.”

Between 2022 and 2024, the AAA says there were over 14,000 crashes in New York State in which either fatigue, drowsiness or a driver falling asleep was a contributing factor.

Of those crashes, 35 resulted in a fatality and over 5,000 resulted in an injury.

All states except for Hawaii and Arizona, as well as several U.S. territories, follow daylight saving time.

For the last several years, Sen. Griffo and Assemblyman Angelo Santabarbara have introduced legislation that establishes daylight saving time as the year-round standard time of New York State and New York City.

According to Griffo's office, studies show that the transition out of daylight saving time leads to an increase in car accidents, causes more on-site work incidents and disrupts the health of all who are subject to the time change.

Joe Griffo image.