No C 95/2 Official Journal of the European Communities 6.4.84 
II 
(Preparatory Acts) 
COMMISSION 
Draft Council resolution on the implementation of a Community programme on road 
safety 
COM(84) 170 final 
(Submitted by the Commission to the Council on 20 March 1984) 
(84/C 95/02) 
THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES 
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the 
European Economic Community, 
Having regard to the opinion of the European Par­
liament, 
Having regard to the opinion of the Economic and 
Social Committee, 
Considering the European Parliament resolution of 
13 March 1984 on the adoption of a programme of 
Community measures to promote road safety, 
Whereas the development of road traffic in and 
between Member States is bound up with Community 
objectives such as the harmonization of the conditions 
of competition, freedom of movement for workers 
and goods, the reduction of barriers to intra-
Community transport and the promotion of tourism; 
Whereas the increase in road traffic observed within 
the Community should be accompanied by 
improvements with regard to living and working 
conditions, energy saving, the environment and 
safety; 
Whereas, in particular, road accidents within the 
Community result each year in the death of approxi­
mately 50 000 people and cause injuries \o over one 
million other people; whereas this situation is unac­
ceptable both in human terms and in terms of the 
economic and social cost to the Member States which 
may be estimated as exceeding 2 % of gross national 
product; 
Whereas, in order to improve road safety, it is 
necessary to improve infrastructure, vehicles and the 
behaviour of users; 
Whereas, while avoiding duplication of the work 
being carried out at international level (by the United 
Nations/Economic Commission for Europe, the 
European Conference of Ministers for Transport, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and 
Development, etc.), or at national or local level, and 
in the light of the results obtained within the COST 
(Cooperation in the field of Scientific and Technical 
Research) framework, the Community should step up 
its present efforts in this area; 
Whereas, in this respect, the progressive approxi­
mation of national legislation and practices with 
regard to road safety represents an important factor 
in the prevention of road accidents and a process for 
which the Community has adequate powers, 
CONSIDERS: 
that provision should be made for Community 
measures in the following areas in accordance with a 
programme to be drawn up on the basis of the 
resources available and an appropriate timetable: 
Behaviour of users: 
— speed limits for certain categories of vehicles, 
— effects of alcohol and drugs, 
— development of the European driving licence 
(training of professional drivers, points system), 
— wearing of seat belts in the front and rear seats, 
— international aspects of the safety of pedestrians 
and users of two-wheel vehicles, 
— measures to help the most accident-prone groups 
(young, elderly and handicapped people); 
Vehicles: 
— roadworthiness testing (extended to include 
private cars), 
— speed-limiting devices (for dangerous goods, 
buses and heavy goods vehicles), 
— replacement of national legislation by Community 
provisions concerning the safety of motor 
vehicles, and in particular buses and heavy goods 
vehicles, 
6. 4. 84 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 95/3 
— safety fo school buses, 
— protection of children in cars, 
— safety of occupants of private cars in accidents 
involving frontal and lateral impact; 
Infrastructure: 
— international aspects of signs and signals, 
— definition of road profile standards based on 
safety criteria, 
— harmonization of traffic prohibitions; 
CONSIDERS: 
that research and studies should be carried out in the 
following areas, either by coordinating the activities 
of the Member States or through Community 
research activities, while avoiding duplication of the 
work being carried out by other international organ­
izations : 
— data concerning road accidents in the EEC 
(harmonization of statistics and forecasting 
methods), — behaviour of users (education at school, law 
enforcement and penalties, additional training of 
drivers, communication with drivers and phasing 
of holidays), 
— improving the safety characteristics of vehicles 
(private cars, buses, heavy goods vehicles and 
motorized two-wheelers); 
INVITES THE COMMISSION: 
to draw up a first programme of road safety in 
accordance with the above guidelines by 31 
December 1984; 
to submit first-priority proposals within a period of 
one year from that date; 
to set up a Committee of Experts on Road Safety in 
order to assist the Commission in this area. 
RESOLVES: 
to do its utmost to ensure the rapid adoption of 
proposals concerning road safety as an integral part 
of the common policy for inland transport, in 
conjunction with the other Community policies 
concerned. 
Proposal for a Council Directive amending Directive 83/181/EEC determining the scope 
of Article 14 (1) (d) of Directive 77/388/EEC as regards exemption from value added tax 
on the final importation of certain goods 
COM(84) 171 final 
(Submitted by the Commission to the Council on 20 March 1984) 
(84/C 95/03) 
THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES 
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Economic Community, and in 
particular Articles 99 and 100 thereof, 
Having regard to the proposal from the Commission, 
Having regard to the opinion of the European Parliament, 
Having regard to the opinion of the Economic and Social Committee, 
Whereas Council Directive 83/181/EEC (') laid down the minimum quantity of fuel 
contained in the fuel tanks of commercial motor vehicles which must be exempted from 
value added tax on admission; 
O OJ No L 105, 23. 4. 1983, p. 38.