Two common phrases echo through the corridors of truck stops, dispatch offices, and driver lounges: "Play stupid games, win stupid prizes," and "f%#$ around and find out." I'm guilty as recent as this week and it's Monday morning. I get it. Drivers often use these sayings to describe the idea that if you take unnecessary risks, you're bound to face the consequences. While this might sound like just driver talk, it actually reflects a mindset that can lead to serious issues.
The "Play Stupid Games" Mindset
This is becoming more and more common. Not just with vehicle operation but also with road rage. The idea behind "play stupid games, win stupid prizes" is simple: if you do something reckless, don't be surprised when things go wrong. In trucking, this could mean speeding, ignoring safety, or taking chances. The trouble with this mentality is that it can make drivers feel like accidents are inevitable or even deserved if someone was being careless.
If a driver believes that accidents are just part of the job, they might not take the extra steps needed to avoid them. Worse, they might not try to prevent a crash if they think the other person "deserves" it. This attitude is the exact opposite of what's needed for safe driving.
The "Wiser" Approach
Collision avoidance is all about preventing accidents before they happen. It's about being on the lookout for potential hazards—whether it's another vehicle, a pedestrian, an animal, or even road debris—and doing everything possible to avoid a collision. The key here is not to worry about who's at fault, but to focus on staying safe and clear the road.
Why is this important? Because even if you're not at fault, being involved in a crash can cost you everything. Think about it: if you're sitting on the side of the road filling out paperwork, getting cited, or being inspected, that's valuable time you're not driving. Plus, there's the hit to your safety score, higher insurance premiums, and the risk of losing customers or even your insurance coverage if your record gets bad enough.
The Long Game
The "play stupid games, win stupid prizes" mindset might give a short-term sense of justice, but it's not a smart way to operate in the long run. The goal should always be to avoid accidents, no matter the circumstances. This means staying vigilant, being prepared to make quick decisions, and always thinking about what's ahead and how to avoid being the obstacle to someone else and how to avoid hitting something that's become an obstacle.
For drivers and carriers, this means ongoing training, predictive or preventive maintenance, and creating a culture where safety is a real goal. Accidents don't just affect the people involved; they can have big impacts on your job, your company, and the industry's reputation.
The Bottom Line
In trucking, avoiding accidents is key. It might feel satisfying to think someone "got what they deserved," but that kind of thinking doesn't keep people alive, property in one piece, your wheels turning and your wallet fat. Focus on collision avoidance and the long game and you can protect yourself, your job, and the people around you. In the end, the real prize isn't proving a point—it's getting home safe and sound and preserving property while making the cash flow.
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