NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Governor Bill Lee has signed a bill into law that prohibits anyone from driving a car on a road if it has "Carolina Squat" modifications.
These kinds of modifications go by different names, but are most commonly called the "Carolina Squat." The modifications are usually done on pickup trucks and large SUVs but can be done on almost any kind of car. The modification effectively lifts the front end of a car higher than the back end, causing it to drive at an angle that is not parallel to most roads.
It was banned in North Carolina and Virginia, according to NBC-affiliate stations in those states, after lawmakers in those states said the modifications make it too difficult to see over the truck's dashboard.
Tennessee's law makes it a Class-B misdemeanor to drive a car that has Carolina Squat modifications, punishable by a fine of $250 for the first offense. Punishments increase in severity for subsequent violations.
People specifically can not drive cars if their front fenders are at least 4 inches higher than their rear fenders, according to the new Tennessee law. It will go into effect on July 1.
It passed unanimously in the Senate and had seven "Nay" votes in the House of Representatives. The bill, HB 1944, was introduced by Representative Dale Carr (R - Sevierville).
"Cars have been coming in and they've been jacking their front fenders up so high that they can't see over the fender to drive, and we've had several accidents like that in Servier County," he said on the House floor.
He also said the law would apply to cars that are both permanently in a "Carolina Squat" position and ones that get into the position with hydraulic systems. On the House floor, Carr also said it may apply to parades if cars are in Carolina Squat position while on the road.