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Modifying cars is big business, but sometimes modifications receive the legislative ax. That’s what happened to the “Carolina Squat” in Virginia, where Governor Glenn Youngkin signed bill ban the practice from the state. The signing of the bill came after a 2021 crash that killed a Virginia man, BJ Upton. A truck with a Carolina Squat crossed the center line and collided with an Upton vehicle.
The Carolina Squat originated from Baja Trophy Trucks which lowered the rear suspension so the rear tires could hit the ground first after jumping. The practice has hit the road, where owners will modify their cars to have a higher front suspension and a lower rear suspension. However, this does nothing more than change the appearance of the vehicle.
Squatting shifts the weight of the vehicle backwards, removing it from the front tires and placing it in the back, which changes how the vehicle handles. It also lifts the front bumper up and away from other bumpers that need to be connected in the event of a crash. Bumpers are designed to crash into other bumpers. It also makes it harder for the driver to look ahead, and points the headlights at the sky instead of the road in the direction you’re driving.
North Carolina proposed and passed a similar law last year, banning mods from the state and attaching severe penalties – compulsory license revocation for at least one year. The bill came into effect on December 1. Virginia’s bill is a bit more benign, making the offense the primary offense that allows police to stop drivers. However, offenses are only punishable by a fine of up to $250, but that can increase.
Modifying a vehicle is a great way for owners to add some personal pizzazz to their car, but safety should be a top priority. Many vehicle mods can change how a car handles and operates, which can increase the likelihood or severity of an accident. There’s no law against directly modifying a car’s suspension, but you’ll run into problems if one bumper is higher than the other.
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