Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., is pushing for Americans to permanently live on daylight saving time, which was temporarily implemented last weekend by turning the clocks ahead by one hour.
The benefits are endless, Rubio said, from increased economic and agricultural activity to reducing obesity rates because people would have more time after work and after school for fitness activities.
"Last week, Florida's legislature overwhelmingly voted for permanent daylight saving time for the state of Florida," Rubio said. "Reflecting the will of the Sunshine State, I proudly introduce these bills that would approve Florida's will and, if made nationally, would also ensure Florida is not out of sync with the rest of the nation."
Rubio also claimed the permanent switch would lead to fewer pedestrians being hit by cars because there would be more daylight. Not everyone is buying into that argument, however.
One father told the Orlando Sentinel the later sunrise that results from being on daylight saving time means kids wait for the school bus in the dark.
"Standing on the side of the road in the dark is dangerous," Bob Eubanks, who has a 17-year-old son, told the Sentinel.
Eubanks said by his count, more than 300 kids have been killed by drivers in Florida while waiting for the bus since 1995. That year, his son Jonathan was struck and killed at the bus stop.
Complications that could stem from Florida, but not the entire United States, opting out of daylight saving time include: confusion with TV schedules, sporting event air times, and flight arrival and departure times.
Every U.S. state except for Arizona and Hawaii participates in daylight saving time, which began March 11 and will end Nov. 4.
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