New federal regulations announced Wednesday will force carmakers to equip new cars with automated tail lights.
Federal transport minister Marc Garneau says the rules are meant to do away so-called 'phantom vehicles' — vehicles that drive without proper lights in the dark.
It's a flexible law that would allow manufacturers to choose either to have them on at all times like headlights, or have them come on in low light conditions.
"Phantom vehicles have been a nuisance and a safety risk on Canada’s roads for many years… As more new vehicles are built to our lighting safety standard, phantom vehicles will eventually become ghosts of the past," Garneau said in a statement.
The new rules would kick in in 2021, and would bring Canada's rules in line with those in the United States.
Meanwhile, Transport Canada is partnering with the Canadian Automobile Association (CAA) to revive a 2015 driver awareness "see and be seen" campaign, meant to raise awareness about the importance of turning your lights on in bad weather and low-light conditions.