Anti-distracted driving law takes effect anew

After a rough start when it was first implemented in May, the ban on distracted driving, particularly on using mobile gadgets while driving, went into full swing anew on Thursday – this time to the consternation of law enforcers who experienced a tough day trying to apprehend motorists.

The basic complaint among the law enforcers was that the likely law breakers were hidden behind darkly tinted windows of their respective rides.

Several motorists were flagged by Land Transportation Office personnel for having gadgets on dashboards, but were let off with a warning, according to a separate report by Cedric Castillo on GMA News' "24 Oras."

The Anti-Distracted Driving Act first took effect on May 18, but was suspended by the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board on May 23, amid calls by lawmakers for a review of its implementing rules and regulations (IRR).

The revised IRR was published on broadsheets on June 21, and officially implemented on Thursday, July 6. — With Jon Viktor Cabuenas/VDS, GMA News