The United States experimented with year-round daylight saving time during the 1973 oil crisis, but the effort was abandoned after just months due to widespread public backlash. Congress passed the Emergency Daylight Saving Time Energy Conservation Act in December 1973, and President Richard Nixon signed it into law shortly after. The change took effect on January 6, 1974, keeping clocks set ahead one hour nationwide for what was intended as a two-year trial to save energy.
Initial support was strong, with polls showing about 79 percent of Americans in favor. The goal was to reduce electricity use for lighting and conserve fuel amid shortages. However, problems emerged quickly as winter brought darker mornings. Parents and safety advocates raised concerns about children heading to school in the dark, citing increased traffic risks. In Florida, multiple fatal accidents involving schoolchildren in the predawn hours fueled opposition.
By February 1974, approval had dropped sharply to around 42 percent. Farmers, construction workers, and others reported difficulties with the schedule. In October 1974, Congress amended the law, and President Gerald Ford signed legislation returning the country to standard time starting late October. Daylight saving time resumed the following spring under the previous seasonal system.
The short-lived experiment highlighted the challenges of balancing energy policy with daily life.
Today, debates continue as some lawmakers push for permanent standard time or daylight saving time, but the 1974 trial remains a cautionary tale. No major injuries or fatalities were directly tied solely to the policy in national reports, though local incidents amplified concerns.
LISTEN on the Audacy App
Tell your Smart Speaker to "PLAY 1080 KRLD"
Sign Up to receive our KRLD Insider Newsletter for more news
Follow us on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube
