A proposed bill in the Alabama House to prohibit squatted vehicles is raising ire among those with raised fenders.

Squatting – or the “Carolina squat” – is the practice of raising the front end of a vehicle while simultaneously lowering the back, and is popular among some SUV and truck owners. The after-market trend has been made more popular recently through social media.

Consumer site J.D. Power says squatting isn’t good for vehicle safety, as it causes weight imbalance in the vehicle, worn-out tires and hampers braking, among other issues. South Carolina passed a similar law last year, and Mississippi has one in consideration.

Virginia passed a ban just weeks after the 2022 death of a man who was killed when a squatted truck reportedly veered over the line and struck his vehicle while coming over a hill.

House Bill 55, introduced last month in the Alabama Legislature, would make it illegal to raise the height of the front fender four or more inches greater than the rear fender, measuring from the ground. A first offense would be a $50 fine, followed by a $100 fine and a $250 penalty on the third offense.

In the first version of the bill, a third conviction would be a two-point violation on the driver’s record, the same as speeding.

However, Bolton said in a phone interview that he plans to amend the bill to take out the point provision after conversations with some owners of squatted vehicles.

“I’m not wanting to punish anybody, I just want compliance,” he said.

Bolton, a Republican from Northport, said he introduced the legislation after hearing of a near-collision in his district. He also said he heard from a police officer in Dothan who was nearly struck by a squatted vehicle while working an accident.

“I felt it was time to put some regulation on (the vehicles),” he said. “You’re now seeing them 16 to 18 inches up, and at that height, you can’t see much in front of you.”

The legislation is not without its critics. An online petition at Change.org opposing the bill had more than 1,300 signatures by Monday afternoon.

Its creator, Austin Smith, said in a statement on the petition that the bill infringes on drivers’ rights. Modifications should be responsible, he said, but there is no statistical evidence of an increase in accidents involving squatted trucks over the last decade.

“Squatted trucks have become an integral part of the automotive culture in Alabama. These modified vehicles are not just a mode of transportation, but a symbol of individuality and personal expression for many Alabamians,” Smith wrote.