Whether you're in Manhattan trying to hail a cab or you call for a taxi one cold morning when your car won't start in your driveway, there are some things that your cabbie would probably love to tell you. Read through this list of some of the most important pieces of information that your taxicab driver wants you to know, and be sure to keep them in mind the next time you need a ride.

Driving a Taxi Is a Dangerous Job

Being a taxicab driver is one of the most dangerous jobs in America, according to CNN.com. Nearly 20 out of 100,000 cabbies are killed each year while on the clock, and while the career has gotten safer in recent years, there are still quite a few hazards that your driver is always aware of.

First, when your driver pull in to pick you up, he or she does not know what kind of person you are. While most people hailing cabs are not psychopaths, there are surely a few of them out there. Secondly, your cabbie's job is to drive you around, sometimes at high levels of speed and through treacherous conditions. So if your taxi driver seems to be very cautious, he or she has very good reason for it.

Your Cabbie Knows the Best Way to Get Where You're Going

Everyone has a story about a cabbie who took the most roundabout way to get to their destination. It can happen, but more often, your cab driver is going a way other than the one you had planned because he or she knows that there is construction or traffic that should be avoided.

If you are suspicious that your driver is trying to raise your tab, ask politely why they're choosing to go a certain way; you'll almost definitely get a reasonable answer. Remember: Your driver wants to get you to your destination so he or she can pick up someone else and get paid for another ride. It's not worth your cabbie's while to drive an extra half-mile for a few cents more.

Your Driver Has to Follow Traffic Rules

Contrary to popular belief, cabbies are beholden to the same traffic laws as everyone else. Asking yours to speed, to weave around traffic or to squeeze in an extra passenger is asking him or her to put their license on the line. Don't do it.

Also, remember that if you need your driver to turn left, you'll need to let him or her know in advance. Your taxicab driver is not going to be able to cut across three lanes of traffic with almost no notice. If you forget to give adequate notice, then it's not fair to be upset when he or she needs to go around the block or drive down the road to make a U-turn.

Off-Duty Means Just That

When in a city, you'll notice that the cabs have lights on their roofs that say "off duty." If you are trying to hail a cab with this light on, be aware that it does not have to stop for you. Cabbies have to attend to personal needs, eat meals and drive their cabs back to the garage at the end of their shift, so it's useless to get angry when a driver does not stop while off duty.

With that being said, sometimes an off-duty cab will stop and ask you where you're going. If it's on the way to where they're going, you might be able to get a ride. Just don't be upset if your answer does not result in an unlocked door and an invitation to make yourself comfortable in the backseat.

By keeping these truths about taxicabs and their drivers in mind, you very well may be your cabbie's best customer of the day. Remember to leave him or her a fair tip (Businessweek says that the average tip is 20 percent of the fare), and feel free to strike up a conversation! You might find that your cab ride is the most entertaining part of your day!