Car owners could face $500 in fines and even jail time for having trash in their own vehicles due to a bizarre new law. The law goes into effective on February 1, 2026 in Hilton Head, South Carolina, seemingly as an attempt to limit the amount of rats in the area. The law states that accumulating garbage in any building, vehicle or surrounding areas in the town is considered unlawful and is punishable by a fine not exceeding $500 or by imprisonment not exceeding 30 days, or both. Each day the violation continues shall constitute a separate offense. According to reports, the picturesque beach town has long been battling a growing rat population, and now the city has taken the position that prevention is the key.
