Council Directive 89/461/EEC of 18 July 1989 amending, with a view to fixing certain maximum authorized dimensions for articulated vehicles, Directive 85/3/EEC on the weights, dimensions and certain other technical characteristics of certain road vehicles

COUNCIL DIRECTIVE of 18 July 1989 amending, with a view to fixing certain maximum authorized dimensions for articulated vehicles, Directive 85/3/EEC on the weights, dimensions and certain other technical characteristics of certain road vehicles  (89/461/EEC)
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 (1),
Having regard to the opinion of the European Parliament (2),
Having regard to the opinion of the Economic and Social Committee (3),
Whereas, in order to make combined vehicles more productive, manufacturers are proposing a maximum usable volume within the constraints imposed by Directive 85/3/EEC (4), as last amended by Directive 89/460/EEC (5);
Whereas this increase in the usable volume involves a reduction in the space reserved for the driver and in the space between the tractive unit and the semi-trailer by means of special coupling devices;
Whereas there is a consequent deterioration in the comfort and safety of the driver's working area;
Whereas the current standards should be improved so as to lead to a better balance between the rational and economic use of commercial road vehicles and the requirements of road safety by making tractive units for semi-trailers more interchangeable  while ensuring that drivers have enough room,