During the live episode of Friday’s “The Oprah Winfrey Show” – an exclusive episode dealing with the risks associated with cellphone use and texting while driving -, Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm signed the ‘texting while driving’ ban into legislation.

The three-bill package - which takes effect in the state from July 1 - was signed by Gov. Granholm, at a public rally; almost halfway through the Friday episode of the Oprah show, via satellite from Renaissance Center in Detroit.

With the legislation in place, texting will be deemed a primary offense under the Michigan law; thereby implying that police can pull over motorists who may be using their cellphones for sending text messages. Though the legislation does not ban using cellphones to make calls while driving, it makes Michigan the 19th state in the country to have introduced a law against distracted driving.

Broadcasting the show from Chicago, Winfrey, who launched the campaign against distracted driving in January this year, declared Friday as the first national ‘No Phone Zone Day’; and thanked the Michigan governor for making Michigan “a safer place.”

With other ‘No Phone Zone’ rallies – held in Atlanta, Boston, Los Angeles, and Washington - also being a part of the Friday broadcast, Winfrey said: “Today is a call to action to stop the madness of distracted driving. Put down your phone when you drive -- simple as that!”