Merriam-Webster defines road rage as “a motorist’s uncontrolled anger that is usually triggered by an action of another motorist, and that is expressed in aggressive or violent behavior.” Often, road rage is found in motorists who get trapped behind slow drivers. I’ve never experienced road rage. The closest I’ve gotten to driving was when I had to steer my brother’s car after it broke down in the Woodcrest Elementary parking lot. Regardless, I find myself empathizing with the plight of road ragers whenever I stroll through Cherry Hill High School East’s hallways.

Although there are no cars in East’s halls, students can still experience a form of road rage when they get delayed by slow walkers. Usually, these meanderers are friends. They stand near perfectly shoulder-to-shoulder, taking up half the hallway, and walk as if they’ll never be allowed to speak again after they reach their destinations. 

It is completely fine to hang out with friends in the hallways, but doing so shouldn’t remove all spatial awareness. Even in larger groups, it is okay. But the instant the walking speed declines, it becomes unacceptable. I shouldn’t have to move any slower to accommodate a horde of talkative freshmen. Honestly, it’s amazing how some students are able to make a simple gesture of walking your friend to class into something this annoying.

Despite how aggravating it is to put up with slow walkers, I never see anyone standing against them. I don’t even do anything about it. This phenomenon is likely due to fear of being judged by the strollers; no one wants to look like a jerk for pushing around them. However, if we, as a student body, choose to stop tolerating hallway shufflers, we can make a difference. So, don’t accept defeat the next time you get trapped behind slow walkers. Make as much effort as you want to sidestep them. No one cares how you look when you try pushing through. Everyone else is just as annoyed as you are.