Philippine authorities have banned hanging rosaries and religious icons off car dashboards because of safety concerns. <br/><br/>The ban prompted an outcry from the Catholic Church which insists they offer divine intervention on the nation's chaotic roads.<br/><br/>The ban, which will take effect on Friday, is part of a wide-ranging new law aimed at eliminating distractions for drivers.<br/><br/>These include talking or sending messages on mobile phones, putting on make-up, and eating or drinking coffee while driving. <br/><br/>Roughly 80 per cent of the Philippines' 100 million people are Catholic, a legacy of centuries of Spanish colonial rule that ended in 1898, and the religious icons in vehicles are seen by many as offering God's protection while driving.