Lawmaker submits bill to keep Georgia on daylight saving time

ATLANTA — Were you extra tired this week because of the time change?

A Georgia lawmaker says it's time to leave the clock alone and to stay on daylight saving time.

House Rep. Wes Cantrell, who represents Cherokee County, said Georgia shouldn't be bouncing back and forth with the time.

On Wednesday, he submitted a proposal to stay on daylight saving time or standard time.

Channel 2's Dave Huddleston talked to Cantrell about why he thinks the time change is antiquated and why he's submitted the bill to keep us on one time.

"Why do we keep doing this? Somebody needs to stand up and say, 'Hey, this is ridiculous, and let's do something about it,'" Cantrell told Huddleston. "I think it's just one of those things we've just become accustomed to. It's a hassle, but that's they way it is, you know? We just live with it."

Daylight saving time first started during World War II when President Roosevelt made it official.The goal was to save energy for the troops. Most states never made the switch back to year-round standard time, except Arizona and Hawaii.

"Let's be a trailblazer," Cantrell said. "Our state needs to lead, so let's lead on this."

Cantrell said most people he's talked to want to stay on daylight saving time, but it's not that easy.

"We do not have the authority to stay on Daylight Saving Time year-round without authorization from the federal government, which is ridiculous," Cantrell said.

Cantrell said there are a few benefits to sticking to Daylight Saving Time: He says there are fewer traffic accidents and there is less crime.

"Criminals like the cloak of darkness, so they have one less hour in the evening to commit their crimes," Cantrell said.

Cantrell also said there is a 24% increase in heart attacks the week after we spring forward.

Cantrell said his proposal won't see any action this year, but he is working to get a proposed amendment with three different options on the ballot in 2020. If the majority of voters want to stay on daylight saving time, the state would have to get federal approval. If the public votes to stay on standard time, the change could be made with just voter approval, Cantrell said.

Huddleston asked people on Twitter what they want. Of those who voted, 86% said they want to stay on daylight saving time. Most everyone said they didn't care which time system we stay on, but they are tired of bouncing back and forth.

Cox Media Group