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It’s almost time to fall back!
Daylight saving timeends this Sunday, November 5 at 2:00 a.m. And yes, this is the one where you gain an hour of sleep. (Unless you’re a parent, because your child does not observe daylight saving time no matter how much you’d like them to.)
So don’t forget to set any clocks that aren’t on a smart device behind one hour before heading to bed on Saturday night, and get ready to have your microwave or oven display the wrong time for the next eight months because you don’t want to break out the instruction manual.
While the idea of getting an extra hour of sleep is exciting, daylight saving time ending may not be the most thrilling day on your calendar. However, the practiceiscelebrating its 100th birthday this year.
The next major change came in 2007, when the Department of Transportation (DOT), which is surprisingly in charge of the practice,expanded daylight saving timeto officially encompass about eight months of the year.
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The DOT was assigned the responsibility because the switch affects so many modes of transportation. The agency continues to observe the twice-yearly time swap because it reportedly saves energy, cuts down on traffic accidents and reduces crime.
States have the final say on if they participate, though. Hawaii and most of Arizona do not — the latter because it receives so much sunlight already. The islands of American Samoa, Guam, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands abstain as well.
Research varies as to whether or not the practice actually satisfies its reasonings — as it turns out,it’s not actually saving as much energy as intended, especially with the advent of air conditioning— but at the very least, the extra hour encourages more time outside. And whether you spend that working out or sipping cocktails on the patio, a little more sunshine is never a bad thing.
EvenChip Gainesweighed in on theclock dramaduring spring forward back in March.
So until your state can come to a conclusion about whether to abolish spring forward and fall back, enjoy your extra hour of sleep until next year.
source: people.com
