Lawmakers cite accidents and health risks in push to study clock changes

Lawmakers advancing a study into whether the state should stop changing clocks twice a year emphasized health and public-safety concerns and said they will invite experts to testify.

Representative Price told the committee that anecdotal and industry reports link the clock shift to reduced alertness and injuries: “industry also reports that people just aren't at their best, and accidents occur on the roads and in jobs,” he said. He also said he had heard reports of increased ischemic strokes and heart attacks immediately after the time change, and described the study committee as the vehicle to compile and evaluate those claims.

Representative Jackson pressed for concrete statistics, asking, “Are there statistics that show the health hazards that happened … during this time when we change our clock?” Representative Price acknowledged he could not cite studies at the meeting and said that gathering data and witnesses — including doctors and accident experts — would be part of the committee’s work.

Supporters said elderly residents and shift workers are among those most affected, and Representative Caldwell echoed reports of a post-change spike in car accidents. The committee advanced the resolution to form a study committee and discussed scheduling hearings this summer to collect the evidence members said is needed before any formal policy recommendation.