West Virginia Safety Effort Targets Texting While Driving

West Virginia officials are planning a safety awareness campaign targeting texting while driving.

Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin is scheduled to launch the campaign Wednesday at the Capitol.

A new state law bans texting and handheld cellphone use while driving. It makes texting while driving a primary offense and talking on a handheld cellphone a secondary offense. Talking on a handheld cellphone will become a primary offense in July 2013.

Violating the law is punishable by a $100 fine for a first offense.