They walk through the halls in a zombie-like state, crashing and bumping into people with no regard for their surroundings. It’s not The Walking Dead, but a new generation of “deadwalkers” in CHS who walk through the halls fully occupied on their cell phones.

While many students like to use cell phones in between classes to text friends and parents, study frantically or listen to music, students shouldn’t walk through the halls preoccupied by their cell phones because it slows down the efficiency of hallways, is dangerous and causes too many distractions for students in between classes.

Students on cell phones slow down the pace of the hallways and make it more difficult for other students to get to class on time.

According to a 2014 study conducted by The University of Queensland School of Health and Rehabilitation Science and National Health and Medical Research Council, people who are texting or using apps while walking walk slower and have trouble walking in a straight line.

Additionally, in a 2015 joint study conducted by the University of Bath and Texas A&M University, participants took 5.64 seconds longer to complete a short obstacle course while using a cell phone compared to not using a cell phone.

Students sauntering down the halls on their cell phone also pose a danger to other students walking through the halls.

According to a 2013 study conducted by The Ohio State University, the amount of injuries for pedestrians using cell phones has more than doubled since 2005. The study used data from the National Electronic Injury Surveillance system, which collects reports from 100 hospitals from around the country.

Students still bump into each other and hurt each other because walking while using a cell phone is a distraction that hinders one’s ability to walk safely in halls and be fully aware of one’s surroundings.

Additionally, using cell phones in between classes acts as a distraction for students and can hinder students’ performance in school.

According to a May 2015 study by the University of Texas and Louisiana State University, strict cell phone policies in school increased students’ exams scores by as much as six percent and had the impact of increasing the yearly instructional period by five days because students aren’t distracted by their devices during school.
Researching before the next class or contacting parents should not be done in the middle of the hallways. Take a step to the side of the hall where you will not cause commotion.

Let’s put “deadwalkers” to sleep once and for all in the hallways of CHS. Don’t pull out your electronic device in the halls. Wait until lunch or after school to be glued to your screen.