Introductory text

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Economic Community, and in particular Article 75 thereof,

Having regard to the proposal from the Commission^f1,

Having regard to the opinion of the European Parliament^f2,

Having regard to the opinion of the Economic and Social Committee^f3,

Whereas the Council and the Representatives of the Governments of the Member States, meeting within the Council on 19 December 1984, adopted a resolution on road safety^f4 inviting the Commission to submit proposals in this connection to the Council in this context;

Whereas rules on the minimum tread depth of tyres, despite being an individual and specific problem, are among the objectives and the work scheduled for 1986, which was Road Safety Year in the Community;

Whereas the European Parliament passed a resolution on 18 February 1986 on the Commission's programme for Road Safety Year 1986^f5 which included the tread depth of tyres as one of the Commission provisions to be adopted as soon as possible;

Whereas provisions of this kind must ensure a higher degree of safety;

Whereas national requirements governing minimum tread depth vary from one Member State to another and whereas such differences cause problems with regard to compliance with road law by motorists who use their cars in the territories of different Member States;

Whereas harmonization of these requirements will facilitate the free movement of vehicles and individual travel between Member States and help to remove barriers to trade and distortions of competition,

HAS ADOPTED THIS DIRECTIVE: