FAIRMONT, W.Va. -- Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin is urging West Virginia students to take the safe driver pledge.

Tomblin spoke Wednesday at Fairmont State University and Pierpont Community and Technical College about the importance of new legislation banning texting and handheld cellphone use while driving.

The governor said that college students are often considered masters of multitasking. But he says there's place where one should never multitask and that's behind the wheel.

The bill effective July 1 will make texting while driving a primary driving offense and talking on a handheld cellphone will become a secondary offense. Effective July 2013, talking on a handheld cellphone will be a primary offense.