Should Squatted Trucks be Banned?

Squatted trucks are something South Carolina sees quite frequently. “The South Carolina squat is generally known as a truck or SUV with a lift on the front axle and a non-lifted or lowered rear,” Meredith Radford reported for member station Public Radio East. However, with new issues and concerns, the question emerges, “Should they be allowed?” Many people are speaking up about the danger of the lifted front on these vehicles. Advocates for this bill argue that a lifted front would impair the driver to see other vehicles, pedestrians, and potential obstacles on the road. South Carolina, however, is not the only state seeing concern with the potential danger supporters are claiming squatted trucks bring. In September 2021, North Carolina passed a bill for banning squatted trucks with front more than four inches higher than the back. These trucks, known as “Carolina Squat '', can now be fined $25-$50. On February 24th, 2022, the South Carolina senate voted on the banning of these vehicles. The overwhelming majority voted for the bill, and it passed 33-1. The first offense would be a $100 fine, however by the third offense, the fine raises to $300 and the driver would get a one year suspension on their driver's license. The next step for this bill is taking it to the House, and placing it as a law. The law would not come into effect for six months after that, and police would not start to write warnings for six months after it was put into effect.