Longest night of year can affect health condition, increase risk of accidents

Chisinau, 26 October /MOLDPRES/- Shifting to winter time 2019 will take place on Saturday night (26 October) to Sunday (27 October), when at 3.00 am, the clock will be given one hour back and this day will be the longest of the year. Experts warn that this annual event is felt differently by people and advise us to be more careful at night.

According to a study conducted by the University of Texas (USA), quoted by several media outlets, with the switching to winter time the risk of road accidents increases.

"On the night of the event, the risk of road accidents increases by about 7% compared to the previous period, and in the morning, the risk is even higher by 14%. At the same time, sleep disorders can occur, because the body is difficult to accommodate with change and gradually adapt to the new rhythm of life. This could lead to acute fatigue, and during this period, the senses will not be as sharp, "according to sources.

"With the shift to winter time, changes begin to take place even at the emotional level. The darkness an hour earlier than before makes us feel sad and tired and even experience depression. Shortening the day and disturbing the biological clock lead to a seasonal affective disorder, " the doctors say.

Moldova will operate the winter shift, which is carried out in accordance with the proposal of the UN Economic Commission, together with the member states of the European community. The switch from summer to winter is in 70 countries around the world, respecting the time zone difference.

Most European countries have set up this system as a result of the oil shock of 1973-1974 in the interest of saving energy. The purpose of the time change was mainly to make the hours of activity better match the sunny hours to limit the use of artificial light.

Subsequently, MEPs called for an assessment of the current regime and if necessary a review of the rules, in a resolution adopted on February 8, 2018 in the European Parliament with 384 votes in favor, 153 against and 12 abstentions. Several citizen initiatives have expressed some concern about the biannual change of time, which marks the beginning and end of the summer period. Many studies have failed to draw a clear conclusion, but it does show some negative effects on human health.

During an online consultation, which took place between 4 July – 16 August 2018, 4.6 million responses were received from all 28 EU Member States, the largest number of responses ever received during a consultation of the European Commission. The public consultation shows that 84% of the respondents are in favor of renouncing the change of time twice a year.

Following the survey conducted throughout the community, the European Commission has proposed abolishing the seasonal change of time.

MEPs voted, on March 26, 2019, to give up the change of time twice a year starting with 2021. Each Member State will decide on what time it will remain - standard time or summer time.

Countries that decide to keep the summer time permanently will make the last change in this regard on the last Sunday in March 2021. Those who prefer to stay at the standard or winter time will change their time for the last time on the last Sunday in October 2021, according to www.europarl.europa.eu.