O ne of the most stressful and frightening aspects of driving today is sharing the road with big trucks.

But, if you have better insight into the world as seen through truckers' eyes, you may understand more about the way they perform and can avoid tangling with them. Here's what you need to know:

Sharing the Road With Big Trucks

Mirrors: Most trucks have a multitude of mirrors, both flat and convex. Because of their size, they can distort the picture or leave out whole sections of the lane beside the truck. For this reason, the most dangerous place to drive is beside a big rig. To get an idea of big rig blind spots, try to see the trucker's face in his/her mirror. You'll quickly learn how limited his visibility is.

Lanes: A trucker's turn signals are most important. Always watch for them. If a trucker signals to change lanes and you are in the way, move out of his way as fast as you can.

Escape: Seasoned truckers know they must have an escape path if they need to get off the road quickly (in case the air pressure fails and the brakes suddenly lock up). If a trucker is in the left-hand lane, he will always be looking for a path to the right so he can get off the road before the brakes cause the truck to come to a skidding halt.

Blind spot: One thing all trucks have in common is a blind spot directly behind the trailer. Truckers hate it when a car hangs back there. It makes them nervous. This is one of the reasons truckers like to drive in caravans, so the trucker behind can watch the "back door." They try to discourage you from slipping in between.

Passing: Truckers hate passing. It is one of the most risky things they have to do. They have to plan their approach, speed, exit and reentry back into their lane. Anytime they must change lanes, there is a risk of hitting someone hiding in the blind spot. So avoid passing, slowing down and forcing him to pass you.

Consider how much energy a truck uses to speed up and pass. The trucker typically must break the posted speed limit to gain enough momentum to pass. In a trucker's mind, there are two rules to live by: Deliver the load on time and use as little fuel as possible. When you get in his way, you become the enemy.

Hills: Truckers like to gain speed while going downhill so they have more momentum to go up the next hill. If you are in the right-hand lane and a big truck is coming up behind you so that you are in its way, you either force it to pass you or to ride on your tail. Sometimes it is better to give up the right-hand lane so the truckers can speed up and slow down when going up and down the hills. Remember: Give them room, lots of room.

Wet roads: The water splash from a truck can be overwhelming. Stay away from big rigs when it is raining hard or when there are large puddles in the road. The splash can blind you, especially at night. If your vehicle, trying to pass the truck, is covered with the spray, the truck driver won't be able to see you. Also, trucks have better traction than cars in the wet weather and can stop much faster than cars. Don't follow too closely.

Snow and ice: Because of their awesome weight, trucks can drive on ice and snow long after four-wheel-drive vehicles have lost traction. Don't be deceived into thinking you can continue driving in this weather just because trucks are traveling. If anything, you might become a hazard when you spin out right in front of one.

Dangerous Trucks

Trucks with worn tires: Immediately move away from trucks whose tires make a loud thumping noise. That is the sound of a tread about to separate from the tire. If a tread hits your car with enough force it can crack your windshield or tear up the undercarriage or go under your tire and cause you to lose control of your car.

Dump trucks: Move away from them immediately since they are very dangerous. Because they don't have to cross state lines, they don't have to stop at the weigh stations. They only run short distances from the rock pits to the construction sites. Because they are not closely checked for overloading, some may exceed the safe gross vehicle weight limit.

A majority of the single-axle dump trucks in use are designed to carry a maximum of 16.5 tons. But most states do not limit them to the manufacturer's gross weight limit, allowing them to carry in excess of 20 tons. The extra weight makes them difficult to steer and also unable to stop quickly.

While truck drivers are among the most experienced and safety-conscious drivers on the road, you still have to be especially careful when you're behind them or when trying to pass.