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Sponsor cites research linking clock changes to crashes, heart attacks and disrupted sleep
Summary
Representative Cantrell presented academic findings and stakeholder endorsements supporting HB 44, telling the committee that research shows spikes in crashes and heart attacks after spring clock changes and arguing the change would benefit health and commerce.
Representative Cantrell told the State Planning & Community Affairs committee that a body of research supports ending biannual clock changes. He cited studies, saying: “University of Colorado researchers found a 6 percent increase in fatal car accidents the week following spring forward,” and later told the committee, “Heart attacks increased 24 percent nationwide during, the week following springing forward.”
Cantrell argued the time switch harms sleep and productivity and favors a permanent choice to avoid the twice-yearly disruption. He said educators and teachers’ organizations testified in favor of his proposal and offered to provide the committee with the research citations backing his remarks. Committee members repeatedly asked for empirical data and larger-sample studies to verify the specific numbers cited by the sponsor.
