Was there ever a time when you were at a friend’s house and you didn’t want to leave, but your parents told you that you had to be home before dark? Well, you don’t have to worry any longer because a pass on Proposition 7 will solve your dilemma.

Proposition 7 will make Daylight Savings Time (DST) our permanent time. This means that our afternoons will be brighter for a longer period of time. We would have longer summer days and shorter winter days. This proposition saves energy, money, and is safer for everyone.  

Every year, $434 million are used when as Californians change their clocks forward and back again, because of the “fall back” in November. Without having to change our clocks, we would have extra money to use on more important matters. For example, money could be spent to support underfunded schools, provide shelters for those in need, and help under budgeted hospitals.

The proposition states permanent DST also saves energy. This will allow households to have natural light longer, which means less energy wasted on artificial light. For example, according to  Kansen Chu´s Chief Executive of District 25, Annie Pham, “Some schools sometimes don’t turn on the lights for practices because of how expensive it is to have all the lights on on the field. So, this could really benefit school athletes who want more time to practice.”

Not only does the proposition save money and energy, but it would also create a safer environment. According to the National Safety Council, “Night [is] more dangerous than any other time of day. In fact, the risk of a fatal crash is three times greater at night.” This means that with nights being brighter, the risk of crashes would decrease significantly. Also, according to Annie Pham, “[When there is a] later sunset, there is a study that shows that there is an increase of credit card activity so that means…there’s that economic benefit as well.”

So don’t worry about when to change our clocks, or what the actual time is. With Proposition 7, the confusion would vanish and be replaced with an easy, understandable system. No more frustration with the weird current ‘spring ahead, fall behind’ system, or unnatural darkness at 5 o’clock. Proposition 7 will save time, energy and money, making it easier for everyone.