BAKERSFIELD, Calif. -- Researchers have found that you are three times more likely to get hit by a car after the time change than before the clocks were set back one hour.

"It's not rocket science, everybody knows that after the time changes in fall, it's going to be darker earlier," said pedestrian Susan Lefter.

But the report found that even though most people are aware that it get darker earlier, pedestrian deaths still sharply rise right after the time changes.

Last Friday, the sunset was after 6 p.m. Monday, the sunset is was at 5 p.m. The study found that darkness was not the killer, but the adjustment for drivers to an earlier nightfall was hazardous for pedestrians.

"Be more cognizant of pedestrians in the roadway. Most drivers are caught off-guard when they drive home from work the Monday after the time change and that's when tragedy can strike," said Senior Officer Jerry Whisenhunt, BPD traffic division.

That's not breaking news for Kerry Ryan, owner of Action Sports, who said he stocks up on bike safety equipment just before every time change.

"No doubt about it, people are coming out of school or work and it's darker. I tell new riders to watch out for drivers who may not be accustomed to seeing riders on the street when it gets dark after the time changes," said Ryan.

School administrators said parents also need to adjust for the time change by arranging to have their child picked up for evening school activity instead of allowing them to walk home. But if they must walk home, said educational officials, inform children of increased traffic safety when crossing the street after the time change.

Insurance company statistics show that pedestrians have a 168 percent higher risk of getting hit by a car the more they walk in November immediately after the time change, but the rate drops to a 21 percent chance by December, after driver adjustment sets in.