The time-honored ritual of setting clocks forward an hour is coming in the spring, as 2017 Daylight Saving Time will kick in. The springtime clock-change continues the long tradition by Benjamin Franklin to conserve energy.
So that you're prepared to change the clocks on March 12th, 2017, here's what you need to know.
When does it start and end?
Historically, daylight saving time has begun in the summer months and ended for winter, though the dates have changed over time as the U.S. government has passed new statutes. Since 2007, DST begins on the second Sunday in March in the United States, when people move their clocks forward an hour at 2:00 a.m. local time. Daylight saving time ends on the first Sunday in November, when clocks are moved back an hour at 2:00 a.m. local time. This year, daylight saving time begins on March 12 and ends on November 5th, 2017.
Why do we do it?
Quite simply, we do DST to make the most of the natural daylight, ever since Benjamin Franklin came up with the idea to reset clocks in the summer months as a way to conserve energy. By moving clocks forward, people could take advantage of the extra evening daylight rather than wasting energy on lighting.
The days start to get longer as Earth moves from the winter season to spring and summer, with the longest day of the year on the summer solstice. This is because the Earth revolves around its axis, tilted towards the sun during the summertime.
We still do this today to save energy. Research has also suggested that with more daylight in the evenings, there are fewer traffic accidents, as there are fewer cars on the road when it's dark outside. More daylight also could mean more outdoor exercise for full-time workers!
The professionals at Jack Stone Insurance Agency hope that you've found out everything you need to know about this year's Daylight Saving Time! For all of your insurance needs in Antioch, Brentwood, and neighboring cities in California, visit our expert team today!
