Car modifications
are incredibly popular and bring together communities with similar interests in modifying their vehicles. Donk cars
are a great example of a modification style that has grown considerably. However, squatted trucks, a somewhat popular truck modification style, are now banned in Virginia. NBC 29
reports that Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin signed a bill into law that banned squatted trucks. This isn't the first state to ban squatted trucks either. Jerry
has the info on why this has become an issue.Squatted trucks explained
Squatted trucks are commonly known by the name of Carolina Squat, and strangely enough, they don't come from Carolina. According to HotCars
, Carolina Squat trucks are characterized by lifted front ends and lowered back ends. Big wheels and tires are used to make these modifications even more noticeable. Lift kits
are common modifications in trucks that are going to be taken off-road, but squatted trucks are different with their asymmetrical design. For an onlooker, the squatted design just looks strange, but initially, it did have a purpose. Even though they are called Carolina Squats, squatted trucks were created to drive in the deserts of California.However, saying that most squatted cars are used for anything practical would be a lie. The Carolina Squat style became popular in the American South, and it became popular only for stylistic purposes. There is no practical advantage to driving a squatted truck, and on the contrary, it could have many disadvantages.
Why is the Carolina Squat now banned in Virginia?
The Carolina Squat ban was signed into law in March 2022, in response to a traffic fatality involving a squatted truck. It is believed that the fatal crash could have been avoided if the modification to the truck was not involved.
With the ban now in effect, police in Virginia are allowed to pull over squatted trucks driving on Virginia highways. For a truck to be legally considered a squatted truck in Virginia, its front bumper is at least four inches higher than the rear.
While fans of squatted trucks may oppose the ban, Virginia is not the first to enact a law like this, and it seems unlikely that they will be the last.
Virginia is not the only state that has banned squatted trucks
Back in December of last year, North Carolina banned squatted trucks, according to NPR
. This law was created in response to a popular petition from North Carolina residents who worried about the dangers of squatted trucks. These dangers are the primary reasons for movements to ban the Carolina Squat. Visibility is the biggest safety concern associated with squatted trucks. The high front end means that drivers look up while driving instead of straight ahead. At night, the headlights of a Carolina Squat light up the sky instead of the road, creating further visibility problems.
Opponents of squatted trucks see them as hazards that offer no benefits to drivers, and there may be more laws banning Carolina Squats in the future. The NPR article about North Carolina's law states that South Carolina had also considered outlawing squatted trucks.
Find car insurance that fits your budget with Jerry
If you are a Virginia driver who was considering modifying your truck into a Carolina Squat, it would probably be a good idea to avoid that. Driving a squatted truck in Virginia could now result in a legal penalty. You could also be penalized for driving without insurance, so if you need car insurance or are considering changing your plan, give Jerry
a try. With Jerry, you can see affordable quotes from top insurance providers, and it only takes 45 seconds to sign up. Plus, Jerry will help you cancel your old plan.
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