NH Belongs in the Atlantic Time Zone (houses, school)

[AtkinsonDan]

Who likes commuting home from work in the dark? I sure as hell don't. Nightfall in the afternoon hours is unnatural and as such I get somewhat depressed this time of year. It is not because I live alone during the holiday season. It is not due to the heating bills. It is not due to the cold temps or the barren landscape and dead leaves. It is because it feels like my days disappear before my very eyes when it is dark upon leaving work.

I think there would be significant quality of life benefits to New Hampshire citizens by changing to the Atlantic time zone.

(1) For one thing the commute home would be safer for many as we would still have daylight even in the shortest of days. People could argue that this would be offset by darkness in the morning but drivers are probably more tired after work than before work hence the daylight would be better served during the afternoon commute.

(2) Secondly people would not be arriving home to dark houses and home lighting would not have to be turned on as early.

(3) Since criminals are lazy thugs who probably sleep late in the mornings, having the darkness at that time would eliminate a time period where they would have good cover to commit dastardly deeds. In the afternoon there would be school children and some professionals with earlier work hours milling about lessening the opportunities for property crime.

(4) People would generally be happier having a little daylight available after work even during the depths of December. We could even stop using DST and still have reasonable daylight in the afternoon all year round.

I think this is a good cause. New Hampshire and Maine belong in the Atlantic time zone and a strong case could be made for Massachusetts and Rhode Island as well but I don't see those populations as being the type required to pull this off. They are followers of big government. It would be up to Maine or New Hampshire.

Is there any interest in this idea? Forget about the logistics and challenges for a moment, if we do this and shows successful adaptation others might follow suit. Would people generally like this change?

[CrazyDave]

simpler solution just stop the nonsensical daylight savings time bs

[AtkinsonDan]

Originally Posted by CrazyDave

simpler solution just stop the nonsensical daylight savings time bs

I'm no fan of changing the clocks, however eliminating DST and taking no other action will not increase PM daylight from November to February. In fact it will decrease PM daylight from March to October. I see more negatives than positives with that scenario.

[BlueRidge1]

I kind of like it getting dark earlier

[miu]

If you don't like driving home in the dark, then ask your boss if you can start your work day earlier. Why would you want NH to be in a different time zone from the rest of the East Coast? Your solution makes no sense to me.

Otherwise, I voted that I don't care since my drive home is always in the dark.

[AtkinsonDan]

Originally Posted by miu

If you don't like driving home in the dark, then ask your boss if you can start your work day earlier. Why would you want NH to be in a different time zone from the rest of the East Coast? Your solution makes no sense to me.

Geographically New England is much further east than the remainder of the east coast. I think all of New England should move to the Atlantic time zone. I am not saying NH should be the only state in a different time zone forever but somebody has to take the first step.

[riddei63]

Maine legislators have brought this up for a vote more than once. It's fun to hear the debate. Bill would have Maine join Atlantic time zone | Sun Journal

[AtkinsonDan]

Originally Posted by riddei63

Maine legislators have brought this up for a vote more than once. It's fun to hear the debate. Bill would have Maine join Atlantic time zone | Sun Journal

Maine needs our support.

[steveusaf]

Originally Posted by CrazyDave

simpler solution just stop the nonsensical daylight savings time bs

I say keep the daylight savings time all year. Keep that time in the afternoon with more daylight.

If you're a morning person, than I guess going back to standard time gives you daylight when you want it most.

[AtkinsonDan]

Originally Posted by steveusaf

I say keep the daylight savings time all year. Keep that time in the afternoon with more daylight.

That is certainly another viable option that I would support 100%. In fact I don't understand why the nation hasn't gone to 100% DST already.