South Carolina is banning the “Carolina Squat,” which is when people raise the front of their trucks and SUVs several inches higher than the rear end. The ban comes after legislation was introduced months ago, but drivers will now receive warnings through the next 180 days. After that time, South Carolina police will be issuing fines and suspending driver’s licenses, as WSPA reports.
The law says a vehicle’s front fender can’t be four inches (or more) higher than the rear fender. South Carolina police are suggesting that now is the time to reverse the truck or SUV modifications, while the warnings are being issued.
The ban went into effect on November 12, and after the warning period of 180 days runs through, fines will be handed out starting at $100 for the first offense. The next fine increases to $200, then the third is $300. Drivers who exceed three fines will have their driver’s licenses suspended, according to police.
Squatted cars have become annoyances for other drivers because they allegedly blind oncoming traffic. The dramatic rake between the front and rear ends of a vehicle causes the headlights to project at an angle that blinds others on the road. Per WSPA:
“It can potentially cause hazards for other drivers, as well as folks driving those vehicles. We’re getting numerous complaints about the headlights being too bright, headlights being in your face,” said Master Trooper Brandon Bolt with the South Carolina Highway Patrol.
Bolt said cars are made level for a reason. When you raise your car like this, it changes the center of gravity.
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“Obviously you’re tilted back, just like you would be sitting in a recliner at home, that makes it hard to see,” he said. “Your high beams are already set higher than your low beams, so when you raise the front of that vehicle, even if you lower your headlights, your high beams are going to be directly in people’s eyes.”
North Carolina and Virginia previously banned the “Carolina Squat,” but South Carolina is joining them, which makes squatting your truck or SUV officially illegal in both Carolinas. It seems like the popular car mod should change its title to something else since its namesake state has made it illegal.
