Text, Walk & Work	
Text, Walk & Work (page 1 of 2)	
Germans give people who text while walking the nickname of "smombies" fo
r smart phone plus zombie.  
Washington Post newspaper uses the word "deadwalkers" and says that 60% o
f walkers are not paying 
attention to where they are walking because of talking, reading, or text
ing on a 
smart phone.  Smart phone using walkers are a public safety issue.  Debo
rah 
Hersman, National Safety Council, said, "We're dealing with a smart phone 
addiction.  When a phone  beeps or buzzes or dings or vibrates, people are trained 
to answer immediately — then feel immediate joy.  Phone users' brains get a hit of 
dopamine (brain chemical that makes person feel good) when opening a m
essage." 
When a person reads or texts on a smart phone, the walking  speed changes and 
walking step length changes.   Also,  body sway changes and arm swing used for 
balance is thrown off because the walker keeps the head down, neck immobile 
(stiff), and arms locked at the side.  Reading and texting while walking lea
ds to walking into people, into 
walls, into cars, or falling down.  Most injuries happen to smart phone 
using walkers who are ages 21 to 25.  
To help walkers stay safe:  a) San Francisco company hires 
security guards to guard entrance to their parking structure to 
make sure distracted workers are not stepping into the driveway 
when a worker's car is entering or leaving.  b) Company in the 
Netherlands (Holland) is making "street-level walker lights" 
called "glowing crosswalks."  Bright ground LED lights, glowing 
green or red, let walkers know when to walk or stop.  c) Some 
cities give tickets to walkers who text while in a crosswalk.    
Accidents while using smart phones:  1) Cause workers to miss one or mo
re workdays due to injury.  
2) Cause the employer loss of productivity (work does not get done) d
ue the worker's absence.  
3) Cause the employer high medical insurance costs due to more workers 
injured at the job site.  
Auto makers save lives by 
providing seat belts, air bags, 
automatic braking for drivers. 
Do smart phone makers need to 
develop mobile apps with GPS 
to warn smombies of oncoming 
cars, stairs, or other hazards?
 


 	
    	
Average stride length while walking (in feet)	



 	
    	
Feet per second while walking (1 foot is 12 	inches)

	






	

	
Permission to use with usworkworld.com subscription.  	Text, Walk & Work (page 2 of 2)	
Percent of smartphone users in each age group who have 
bumped into something, or been bumped into by others 
who were distracted by their phone (Pew Research)
Texting Etiquette (Correct Way To Do Texting) —
•  Do not text while walking at work.  Give eye contact to 
people and  say "Good morning" or "Good afternoon."
•  Follow rules for texting at work.  Read the employee 
handbook.  Ask your supervisor any questions.
•  Do not text coworkers/supervisor unless you know this 
way of communication is OK with them. 
•  Do not text during meetings.  Avoid group texting.  
•  Show respect to your coworkers' and supervisor's time: a) 
Keep your texts brief.   b) Do not text them after business 
hours.  
•  Use emojis carefully to keep a professional image.
•  Use correct spelling and punctuation.  Do not use abbreviations because    
abbreviations are not understood by all ages. 
•  Use an upbeat tone.   Do not use negative words such as "failure" or "wrong."  
Use "please," "thank you."  To sound friendly, use "our," "we," "us."  
•  Never send important or bad news by text.   CALL and talk to the person
•  If it takes over 3 texts to answer your question — stop.   CALL the person.
•  Proofread all work-related texts before sending.   	
 	






	

	
Been bumped into
Bumped into something/one	
QUICK CHECK:
1.  What do Germans nickname distracted walkers?
2.  a) To what does Hersman say we are addicted?
  b) List 4 things that smart phones do that give 
us immediate joy.  c) What brain chemical did 
Hersman say we get when we open a message?
	 d)	Do	you	find	it	hard	to	not	look	or	answer	 when your phone beeps, buzzes, dings, or 
  vibrates?  e) Give a reason for your answer.
3.  a) What 4 things change or are thrown off when 
a person reads or texts while walking?
  b) What happens to the head, neck, and arms?
4.  To help walkers stay safe:  a) What does a San 
Francisco company do?  b) What is a company 
in Holland making?  c) What do some cities give 
to walkers who text in a crosswalk?  d) Do you 
think your city should install green or red 
  glowing crosswalks to help walkers?  
  e) Give a reason for your opinion. 5. 
List 3 things that cause accidents while using 
smart phone.
6.  Graph:  What is number of feet per second for:  
a) Normal walking?  b) Texting while walking?
7.  What percent of the following age people have 
been bumped into by distracted walkers:
  a) 18-24?  b) 35-44?  c) 55-64
8.  What percent of the following age people have 
bumped into something or someone?
  a) 18-24?  b) 35-44?  c) 55-64?
9.  a) What do you say when you give eye contact?
  b) What should you read?  c) May you text at 
meetings?  d) How do you show respect for 
supervisor's time?  e) What do you not use due 
to "all ages?  f) List 2 negative words.  g) List 
2 words to use to sound friendly.  h) Describe 
2 times you need to CALL the person.  i) What 
must you proofread?