Louisiana Police Are Cracking Down On Trucks and SUVs with the Carolina Squat

For those unfamiliar with the Carolina Squat, it is a modification on trucks and SUVs in which the front suspension is raised and the rear suspension is lowered, giving the illusion that the vehicle is “squatting.” But what was once a popular trend among trucks and SUVs has since been deemed illegal in many states over concerns surrounding impaired visibility and safety, including in both North and South Carolina.

Is The Carolina Squat Illegal in Louisiana?

It is also labeled as illegal in the state of Louisiana, and police have taken to social media as a reminder that they are taking these violations very seriously, and that auto enthusiasts should avoid this modification. In Louisiana, any vehicle in which the height of the front fender is greater than six inches than the height of the rear fender is subject to penalties.

In a post shared to the Vermilion Parish Sheriff’s Office Facebook page, the law is outlined for any vehicle outfitted with the Carolina Squat.

“A. No person shall operate a motor vehicle upon any highway if, by alteration of the suspension, frame, or chassis, the height of the front fender is six or more inches greater than the height of the rear fender. For the purposes of this Subsection, the height of the fender shall be a vertical measurement from and perpendicular to the ground, through the centerline of the wheel, and to the bottom of the fender.

B. The provisions of this Section shall only apply to vehicles with no payload and no trailer attached. Squatted vehicles present a unique road hazard for some of the following reasons;

1. The headlights are often not adjusted for the modification, blinding oncoming drivers.
2. The front bumper is no longer aligned with the roadway meaning the possibility of “drive over” of smaller vehicles.
3. The driver of the squatted vehicle has a limited to obstructed view directly in front of the vehicle.
4. The vehicle becomes unstable at certain speeds due to more air traveling under the vehicle than over the vehicle.”

Safety has been the primary concern over the banning of the Carolina Squat in multiple states. Every truck and SUV has a headlight beam pattern designed to cater to the height of the vehicle. Even though raising or lowering a vehicle doesn’t change its beam pattern, the angle at which the road is illuminated is. Not adjusting to this new angle, can hinder the driver’s ability to see the lit-up road ahead of them, as well as blind oncoming drivers.

But even during the daytime, the Carolina Squat has been deemed unsafe both for the driver and for other drivers on the road. Due to the vehicle’s raised angle, anyone operating a truck or SUV with this modification will experience hindered visibility of the road. This was the case in which one vehicle with the Carolina Squat was involved in an accident in Virginia that unfortunately claimed the life of another driver.

However, not everyone is on board with banning the Carolina Squat. While speaking with Live 5 News in South Carolina, squatted truck owner Nicholas Coletti says, “I think this bill being passed opens the door for many other bills to be passed, limiting what we can do with your vehicles.”