West Virginia Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin signed a bill into law for the second straight day Tuesday.  

Touring three schools in the Mountain State, Tomblin signed Senate Bill 211 into West Virginia law, making it illegal to text while driving.

And soon, they'll need to find an alternate way to talk on the phone while driving.

“As we know, with more and more people texting and driving, we're having more and more accidents, not just injuries, a lot of times fatalities," said Tomblin.

While on his school tours, Tomblin signed a personal pledge to only use hands-free devices while driving.

The pledge read:

I pledge to put my safety and the safety of others first.

I will not text while I am driving b/c it cn w8.

I will always use a hands-free cellphone while driving because I am a responsible driver.

I will do my part in keeping our roadways safe.

“People that have had loved ones hurt or killed because of texting and driving are very supportive of this," said Tomblin.

The compromise bill is structured like this: Beginning on July 1, 2012, texting while driving will be a primary offense and talking on a handheld cellphone will be a secondary offense. By July 1, 2013, talking on a handheld cellphone will become a primary offense as well.

"I'll answer my phone if I'm driving but I won't dial out. I'll only answer incoming calls because in order to dial out you have to look at your phone," said Don Barbe of Clearview, W.Va.

Area residents from both sides of the Ohio River agree that this law makes West Virginia roadways safer.

"There's enough distractions on the road and I think it’s a very dangerous thing to do," said Gina Pitts of Martins Ferry, Ohio.

"More people should be paying attention to the road if they're driving, and not looking at their phones," said Barbe.

The governor actually presented finger guards to the superintendents of the schools he visited Tuesday. They make it impossible to text when they are worn.

Next year, when calling is banned, hands-free Bluetooth devices will still be allowed.

Stay with NEWS9 and WTOV9.com for continuing coverage.