‘Carolina Squat’ grace period ends in SC. Who’s writing tickets in York County?
The grace period is over, and law enforcement agencies in York County say they’ve started issuing tickets for the Carolina Squat.
The squat, when trucks and SUVs have the front end jacked up, became illegal in South Carolina in 2023. But law enforcement did not start writing tickets until May after a six-month grace period ended. The penalty could range from a $100 fine to a loss of a driver’s license.
Through early July, agencies in York County issued 10 tickets and more than a dozen warnings to drivers of vehicles under the squat law. Five of those tickets were by state police agencies, according to statistics provided to The Herald by the S.C. Department of Public Safety.
Why is there a law against the squat?
Those who pushed for the no squat law said the raised vehicle nose is a safety hazard that limits a driver’s visibility. The law makes it illegal when the “front fender is raised or lowered four or more inches greater than the height of the rear fender.”
The law passed with bipartisan support and was backed by many police groups, according to previous coverage from The State.
Conviction for a first violation ticket costs a $100 fine under the state law. A second violation is $200. A third ticket conviction is a $300 fine plus loss of a driver’s license for a year.
It is unclear if any of the tickets written in York County have yet gone to court. For any traffic citation, a driver can pay a fine, or fight the charge in a jury trial in magistrate-level court.
The squat is also illegal in North Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and Georgia.
Who is giving out Carolina Squat tickets?
York Police Department officers issued three tickets through early July, according to police spokesman David Dover. Rock Hill police gave out one ticket, Lt. Michael Chavis said. York County Sheriff’s Office deputies issued one ticket, but also issued 15 warnings from May 10 through early July, said sheriff’s spokesman Trent Faris.
In Lancaster County, deputies issued one ticket through early July, according to spokesman Doug Barfield.
Chester County deputies did not issue any tickets, but state police issued one ticket in Chester County.
Across South Carolina, state police agencies through the first week in July issued 67 squat tickets, with 24 of those in Horry County alone, public safety department statistics show.
Myrtle Beach, one of the nation’s busiest travel destinations, is in Horry County. Myrtle Beach - especially Ocean Boulevard - was known before the ban as a spot squatters would show off their custom rigs.
