SC’s bill to ban most Carolina Squat trucks is running out of time. Will it pass?
A bill that would ban most so-called “Carolina Squat” trucks in South Carolina made it one step closer to becoming law Wednesday morning.
But it still has a long way to go, and time is running out.
The S.C. House Insurance subcommittee passed the bill Wednesday, sending it to the full Labor, Commerce and Industry Committee.
Carolina Squat trucks are defined by their signature “lean,” where typically the front end of the truck is higher than the back. The bill, S.908, would limit the front-to-back height difference of the trucks to just 4 inches. Currently, some trucks have height differences of 10, 12 and even 20 inches.
Proponents of the bill say the trucks are a danger to pedestrians and other cars on the road. They say that the higher the lift on one of the trucks, the harder it is to see the road ahead.
Last summer, a pedestrian was killed in Myrtle Beach after being hit by Carolina Squat truck. Myrtle Beach police presented that incident to lawmakers when testifying in favor of the bill to restrict the trucks.
“The pedestrian, rather than striking the front of the vehicle and rolling off, was actually caught underneath the car and was killed,” Myrtle Beach police spokesman Tom Vest said.
Both North Carolina and Virginia have passed laws heavily restricting the trucks. Virginia’s law, passed last month, even included an emergency clause allowing the restrictions to go into effect immediately, rather than later this summer.
Opponents of banning or restricting Carolina Squat trucks — namely, owners of the trucks — say the state needs to stay out of their business and stop trying to interfere with their rights to do what they want with their private property.
“To a certain point, yes. I think that they are a danger (when) people overdo it,” said Carolina Squat truck owner Shane Wilson, calling lift differentials of 20 or more inches excessive. “But 90% of the time, they just mess with us just because they don’t like it. I can see perfectly fine in my truck the way it sits.”
Before it can become law, S. 908 has to get passed out of its full House committee and receive be voted on by the entire chamber. It was already passed by the Senate in February.
State Rep. William Bailey, R-Horry County, supports the bill but said getting it passed could be a challenge because the current legislative session ends May 12.
“It’s going to be a difficult push to get this through the process before the end of the session but if we can get it to the house floor for a vote I am fairly confident it has the support to pass,” Bailey said in a text.
This story was originally published April 20, 2022 at 1:55 PM.
