An online driver training course specifically designed to reduce the injuries and vehicle damage caused by low-speed accidents on urban roads and in workplaces has just been launched in New Zealand.

DT Driver Training director Darren Cottingham believes that many vehicle accidents occur at relatively low speeds.

They can, he adds, result in serious neck and back injuries for the driver and costly disputes between the injured parties and their insurers.

"Costs can also mount up for businesses through lost productivity, additional administration and vehicle repairs. Vehicle leasing companies claim the average fleet vehicle endures between $1000-$2000 worth of damage in its three-year lifecycle.

"Multiply this by the number of vehicles in your fleet and the costs can skyrocket."

Cottingham reckons that NZ drivers "have poor technique when it comes to manoeuvring at low-speed, knowing how and where to park, and how to avoid damaging our wheels and panels when we're in tight spaces."

DT Driver Training has joined forces with driving instructor Duncan Seed of 2 Drive Safe Rider and Driver Training, to produce an online course to help drivers who aren't confident manoeuvring their cars, vans, light trucks and buses.

According to a British study of 2000 motorists in 2016, 20% of drivers said they'd continue to drive around the streets to find an easier space rather than parallel park.

But, says Seed, "it's not just parallel parking that people find difficult: It's reversing around a corner or down a driveway, parking in multi-storey carparks and reversing with a trailer."

He's adamant that manoeuvring can be effectively taught via videos showing how to do it correctly: "It starts with learning about blind spots and setting up your mirrors correctly. Then we take you through everything you need to know to confidently park anywhere and reverse in any complex situation, with or without a trailer."

The course, Low-speed Manoeuvring and Towing, is available from drivingtests.co.nz for $25 for one year's access per driver.