Starting on May 10, law enforcement officers in South Carolina will begin giving tickets to vehicles that have the “Carolina Squat” modification. This means that the front end of the vehicle is lifted higher than the rear end. The state has been warning people about this for some time, but now they will start giving out tickets.
The “Carolina Squat” is when the front of a vehicle is lifted up higher than the back. According to the South Carolina Department of Public Safety, if one end of the vehicle’s fender is raised at least four inches higher than the other end, it is considered “squatted.” This kind of modification is usually seen on trucks and SUVs.
Lawmakers in South Carolina decided to ban the “Carolina Squat” because they believe it’s unsafe. When the front of the vehicle is lifted higher, it can make it harder for the driver to see the road properly. This could lead to accidents because the driver might not see other cars, cyclists, or people walking.
Also, the headlights might shine too brightly in the eyes of other drivers. Other states like North Carolina and Virginia have already banned this modification, and Tennessee recently announced a similar ban.
The ban in South Carolina was announced in November 2023. However, for the past six months, law enforcement officers have been giving warnings instead of tickets. This was to give people time to change their vehicles to make them legal again.
But now, starting on May 10, if someone is caught driving a squatted vehicle, they will get a $100 fine for the first offense, $200 for the second offense, and $300 for the third offense. If someone is caught driving a squatted vehicle for the third time, they will also lose their driver’s license for one year.
