Bambi can rest a little easier this year – even in West Virginia, where the odds of hitting her are the highest.

For the third consecutive year, the number of deer-vehicle collisions has declined in the United States, dropping 9 percent in just three years, according to State Farm Insurance.

The trend is evident even in West Virginia, where the motorists are more likely to hit a deer than anywhere else in the nation. Not long ago, motorists had a 1 in 42 chance of running into an animal in a state appropriately nicknamed “Wild and Wonderful.” Now, the odds are a slightly improved 1 in 53.

As for the outlook elsewhere?

Nationwide, motorists were involved in nearly 1.1 million deer-related collisions during the one-year period ending in July 2011. Some states ranked high for road kill (think Iowa, Pennsylvania and Montana), while other states had surprisingly low collision rates.

In Hawaii, for example, motorists have a 1 in 6,267 chance of hitting a deer – about the statistical equivalent, State Farm muses, of being a practicing nudist in the United States. In Florida, the odds are similarly uncommon (1 in 1,066).

So why are deer-vehicle collisions declining in the U.S.? Good question. Even State Farm’s researchers didn’t have an answer to that.

Whatever the reason for the downturn, it’s good news for both deer and motorists. The average deer-vehicle collision costs car owners $3,171. And, of course, it often costs deer their lives.

Before we show you the map showing how your state ranks for the frequency of deer-vehicle collisions, here are some tips to avoid a crash of your own.

• Remember that deer are most active between 6 p.m. and 9 p.m.
• Be aware of deer crossing signs. They are there for a reason.
• Don’t rely on car-mounted deer whistles.
• Keep in mind that deer travel in herds. Where there is one, there are likely more.
• Use high-beams when possible to expand your field of vision.

Hope that helps. If you want more information, take a look at this information compiled by State Farm.

Before you buy a new Maserati or minivan, you might want to find out how that new set of wheels is going to affect your wallet.

If you can afford a Maserati Granturismo – with its minimum pricetag of $139,900 – then maybe you won’t mind that insurance companies consider it the most pricey car to repair. Its collision costs are 326 percent higher than the average car.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has compiled this report comparing the insurance costs of dozen of vehicles, ranging from Dodge Caravans to Volkswagen Beetles to Honda Civics.

So, here’s a peek at which vehicles are the most expensive to repair – and which will likely lead to higher insurance rates.

Most Expensive:

• Maserati Grantursmo – Price tag: $139,900 (Repair costs 326 percent higher than average.)
• Mercedes Benz CL class – Price tag: $158,700 (Repair costs 212 percent higher than average.
• Nissan GTR 4WD – Price tag: $89,950 (Repair costs 192 percent higher than average.

Least Expensive

• Chevrolet Express 3500 Cargo Van – Price tag: $25,090 (Repair costs 69 percent lower than average.)
• Volvo XC60 – Price tag: $33,300 (Repair costs 67 percent lower than average.)
• Ford E-150 Econoline Van – Price tag: $28,760 (Repair costs 67 percent lower than average.)

Want to find out how your own car fares? Here’s where to look.

QUICK HINT: If your dream car – whether it’s a Shelby GT or a PT Cruiser – has a score of 100, then the fix-up costs are about average. If the score is lower than 100, the repair costs are below-average. And if they are higher than 100, you can expect higher insurance costs.

Let’s be honest: When the first snowstorm hits, we discover a whole lot of mindless drivers in our midst.

They’re stranded in snow banks, turned around in medians and sharing bumpers all over America’s highways.

Sheesh. So we shake our heads and thank our lucky stars that we are better, safer drivers. But are we?

Here’s a look at the weather-related collisions that happen each year across the United States. The numbers – compiled by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration – show that some regions are better at driving in adverse weather than others.

Seriously.

The Midwest, for example, is home to 22 percent of the nation’s population. But it accounted for 40 percent of the nation’s weather-related crashes. The West, in contrast, had 23 percent of the population, but only 10 percent of the crashes.

Interested? Here’s the data: