What color must tail lamps be on a vehicle?

Tail lamps on a vehicle must be red in color. This standard is in place to ensure that vehicles are clearly visible to other drivers, particularly in low-light conditions and at night when visibility is compromised. The red color is universally recognized as a signal for caution and indicates to other roadway users that a vehicle is preparing to stop or is already stopped.

Using red for tail lamps helps differentiate them from other lights on the vehicle, such as turn signals, which are typically amber, and reverse lights, which are white. This distinction is crucial for maintaining safety on the road, allowing drivers to easily interpret a vehicle’s intentions based on the lighting. Therefore, the specification that tail lamps must be red enhances overall traffic safety by promoting clear communication among drivers.