Texting and Walking is More Embarassing than Dangerous

Ever since Cathy Cruz Marrero’s now infamous fall into the Berkshire Mall fountain, many have wondered just how detrimental texting and walking can be to one’s health. They are two simple chores that the average citizen with a cell phone probably undertakes daily without really thinking seriously about his or her actions. While we have all learned about the dangers of texting and driving from numerous videos and pamphlets that the school provides, what about texting and walking?

According to some physicians, texting and walking has been a danger long before Ms. Marrero brought the issue to the forefront of the public eye.

“Almost every emergency room physician in an urban area or busy community hospitals have seen [sic] somebody who was walking, riding, skateboarding or trying to drive, and has been distracted by texting,” said Dr. Mark Melrose, director of emergency medicine at Mountainside Hospital in Montclair, New Jersey, in a 2008 interview with ABC News. Most of these injuries, however, appear to be minor.

Students and staff at The Fleetwood Area High School offered some choice retorts about the problem of texting and walking.

Respected English teacher Zachary Steven Houp said, “If some people are capable of texting and driving at the same time, you’d think a person could successfully text and walk at the same time. However, both are extremely dangerous and should be avoided at all costs.”

Student Madison Rice was very frank with her answer: “It wouldn’t be a problem if people paid attention.”

Student Derek Evanosky said, “It’s a menial task that anyone should be able to do well.”

So is texting and walking a real danger? The overall consensus seems to be that it is not. As an admitted repeat offender of texting and walking, I find it hard to believe that it is a danger to anyone who is at least mildly aware of his or her surroundings. But, in the end, it is really up to the individual to decide for himself or herself if it is a threat to one’s own health.