In an effort to continue my determined fuck-this-it's-Friday procrastination, AND keep talking about cars: the Carolina Squat vehicle modification was severely restricted (functionally banned in (ironically) North Carolina, in December. And I have... feelings.
For reference, this is a (admittedly, severely) squatted truck. 
Supposedly, this mod was inspired by "trophy trucks." Those are racing trucks that compete in rally and off-road, and their fronts are elevated so their front ends don't smash into the ground when they land big jumps.
That's the story, anyway.
That's the story, anyway.
Buuuuut trophy trucks aren't things you drive down the street to get groceries. They're hyper-specialized, single-purpose machines.
And frankly, they're not as extremely squatted as... this.
And frankly, they're not as extremely squatted as... this.
(Note that truck so squatted that the rear wheel is actually damaging the body of the truck as it turns.)
Here's the view from the cab of that truck, by the way. Which was also pulled over and impounded by cops for being non-streetworthy, pre-ban.
Here's the view from the cab of that truck, by the way. Which was also pulled over and impounded by cops for being non-streetworthy, pre-ban.
You can't see shit. You could hit a kid, a deer, hell, another car, and never know they were there. This is dumb. This is incredibly dangerous.
Buuut most squatted trucks/SUVs aren't this extreme. Most are like this. And now they're banned, too.
Buuut most squatted trucks/SUVs aren't this extreme. Most are like this. And now they're banned, too.
And let me be clear: I think this is the dumbest fucking mod on god's pitiful, mewling Earth, outside Pimp-My-Ride level waterfall-in-the-backseat type shit. It's ugly and stupid. I hate it.
But a BAN? Not on the extreme stuff, but practically ALL of it?
Ehhhhn.
But a BAN? Not on the extreme stuff, but practically ALL of it?
Ehhhhn.
It feels like the same energy people give van enthusiasts who paint, like, wizards and dragons on their vehicles.
I think it's tacky and goofy and cringey, but fuck what I think, cuz it's *not my van.* That person isn't HURTING anyone. They just like an uncool aesthetic.
I think it's tacky and goofy and cringey, but fuck what I think, cuz it's *not my van.* That person isn't HURTING anyone. They just like an uncool aesthetic.
Most (not all, MOST) squatted vehicles are as safely driveable as any other SUV/truck (Although how safe those are in general to other people on the road is a debate I'm not getting into). But now, they're ALL illegal in N. Carolina.
Feels unfair, is all.
Feels unfair, is all.
Donut did this vid awhile back on the primary argument for banning ALL squat modding— "It's dangerous, you can't see anything"— back in July. And it's a real eye-opener.
There's no data proving squatted vehicles are any more dangerous than standard ones identical in every other respect. It's all hearsay and assumption.
And the amount of squatting their test truck had to take before they actually began to lose visibility was... pretty major.
And the amount of squatting their test truck had to take before they actually began to lose visibility was... pretty major.
So, the North Carolina legislation was passed and signed into law, with no real resistance... and no evidence to back up its assertions.
Which bugs me.
Which bugs me.
Like, I get I'm old, but the "Video Games Cause Violence" vibes coming off of this law are BONE-SHAKING.
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