With all the falls, drops, reductions, and declines we've been hearing about everywhere else lately, here's one that's good news for motorists and deer alike.

A recent State Farm study reports that deer collisions were down a whopping seven percent last year, and almost 10 percent from three years ago. We have no idea how many deer survivors or dent-free Nissan Stanzas that amounts to, but we have seen the all-too-serious damage and injury a deer collision can result in.

Any reduction in these deer-auto collisions is good news. While there's nothing that apparently accounts for this decline, there are some tips for avoiding collisions:

• Be aware of posted deer crossing signs. These are placed in active deer crossing areas.
• Remember that deer are most active between 6 and 9 p.m.
• Use high-beam headlamps as much as possible at night to illuminate the areas from which deer will enter roadways.
• Keep in mind that deer generally travel in herds - if you see one, there are probably more about.
• Do not rely on car-mounted deer whistles.
• If a deer collision seems inevitable, attempting to swerve out of the way could cause you to lose control of your vehicle or place you in the path of an oncoming vehicle.

We're now a few days into the three months of the year where deer collisions are the most likely to occur, with November the month where odds for collision are highest. West Virginia tops the list of U.S. states, with a one in 53 chance of a deer-related collision. Keep your eyes open out there, and even if you forget everything else, remember not to snort in the woods during deer season.

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