Drivers over 65 are being encouraged to give up driving in Japan

Japanese police have teamed up with businesses to encourage drivers over 65 to give up their driving license.

The decision has been made in a bid to cut accident rates in the country, reports in the general press state.

Older drivers are reckoned to have caused 100,000 accidents in Japan in 2007, prompting police to take action.

Businesses are offering incentives including higher interest on savings, and discounts on meals in restaurants, to encourage the over 65s to hand in their licenses.

It’s also hoped the hope that the move could help to cut congestion in Japan’s busiest cities.