The switch to daylight saving time should be abolished due to health and accident risks, as well as its impact on sleep schedules, a group of health experts said.

The American Academy of Sleep Medicine said the time change brings with it “many health and accident risks and is misaligned with human circadian biology.” Instead, it should be abolished in favor of permanent standard time.

READ MORE: ‘Spring forward:’ Daylight saving time starts this weekend

“Mounting evidence shows the dangers of seasonal time changes, which have been linked to increased medical errors, motor vehicle accidents, increased hospital admissions and other problems,” said Jennifer Martin, a licensed clinical psychologist and president of the AASM. “Restoring permanent, year-round standard time is the best option for our health and well-being.”

Daylight saving time 2023 begins on Sunday, March 12 at 2 a.m. The change to DST pushes the clock up one hour to move more daylight from the morning to the evening.

An AASM survey data shows the majority of respondents – 63% – want to eliminate seasonal time changes in favor of a national, fixed, year-round time. The change, the academy points out, shows that traffic fatalities increase as much as 6% in the first few days following the change to DST. Also, a recent study found an almost 19% increase in adverse medical events related to human error in the week after switching to DST.

From a sleep standpoint, the association points to the impact it has on high school students. A study showed teens lost an average of 32 minutes of sleep per night after the change to DST for a total of 2 hours and 42 minutes of lost sleep during the week. During school days after the time change, students also were sleepier, had slower reaction times and had a hard time paying attention.

To combat issues related to the spring time change, AASM recommends:

• Get at least seven hours of sleep per night before and after the time change.
• Gradually adjust bedtimes and rise times by shifting them 15 to 20 minutes earlier each night beginning a few nights before the time change.
• Adjust the timing of daily routines that are “time cues” for your body, such as your mealtimes.
• Set clocks ahead one hour in the early evening on March 11 and then go to bed at your normal bedtime that evening.
• Head outdoors for early morning sunlight the week after the time change, as the bright light will help set your internal clock to the new time. This helps regulate sleep and alertness.