On Sunday, November 6th, at exactly 2:00 AM, people from over 70 different countries turned their clocks back one hour, signaling the official end of Daylight Savings.  Daylight Savings is something everyone observes, probably begrudgingly, as we are always losing a precious hour of sleep.  However, have you ever wondered the reason why Daylight Savings was created in the first place?

Germany and Austria are credited as being the first countries to apply DST (Daylight Savings Time) in 1916, two years into the start of World War I.  The idea behind this was to conserve the use of artificial lighting and maximize the use of natural sunlight.  Weeks later, the UK, France, and multiple other countries also adopted the practice.  However, most of these countries switched back to standard time after the end of the war, and it was not until World War II that DST made an entrance back into Europe.

In the United States today, we observe DST  from March to November.  While many of us often do not appreciate this practice, research has shown that DST actually promotes safety.  Longer daylight hours result in safer driving, reduce the risk of car accidents and make it safer for pedestrians, joggers, and dog walkers.  As surprising as it sounds, Daylight Savings has even been shown to lower criminal activity.  Economists Jennifer Doleac, Ph.D., and Nicholas Sanders, Ph.D. report that “Most street crime occurs in the evening around common commuting hours of 5 to 8 PM, and more ambient light during typical high-crime hours makes it easier for victims and passers-by to see potential threats and later identify wrongdoers.”  

So, the next time you grumble about having to shift your clock an hour back, think of all the benefits DST actually brings to our society.  Until then, enjoy that extra hour of sleep while it lasts!