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Making daylight saving time permanent sounds like a win for evening sunshine — but a new study says it comes at a steep cost for kids. Researchers found it would add at least 2 billion dark school commutes nationwide, and fatal pedestrian crashes involving school-aged children are roughly twice as likely in the dark as after sunrise.
Making daylight saving time (DST) permanent is gaining political traction — the U.S. House passed a bill this summer, and 19 states have already approved supporting measures. But a new University of Washington study published in Current Biology raises a serious concern for children: permanent DST would push sunrise an hour later in winter, leaving millions of kids commuting to school in the dark from November through March.
Researchers analyzed school enrollment data, start times, and geographic coordinates across 14 states that have backed permanent DST. The results were stark — Washington state alone would see nearly 35 million additional dark commutes, while Georgia would face the largest increase at ~71 million. Extrapolated nationally, the figure tops 2 billion additional pre-sunrise school trips — and researchers note even that is likely an underestimate, since many children leave home well before 8 a.m.
By the Numbers:
Why it matters: Beyond traffic safety, morning sunlight plays a critical role in regulating children's circadian rhythms — affecting sleep, mood, and overall health. As Congress debates the "Sunshine Protection Act," this research puts a concrete, child-focused metric on the table that policymakers and pediatric health advocates can't easily ignore.
