Final answer:
Taillights must be illuminated after dark as a safety regulation to ensure vehicles are visible to others on the road at night, and failing to do so can result in penalties.
Step-by-step explanation:
True, taillights are required to be illuminated after dark. This is a standard automotive safety regulation designed to ensure that vehicles are visible to other drivers at night. When a car's headlights are turned on, the taillights also illuminate, providing visibility from behind. Because the rear visibility of a vehicle is crucial for safety on the roads, functioning taillights are mandatory. In almost every jurisdiction, driving without properly functioning taillights after dark can lead to traffic citations or more severe penalties if it results in an accident.