From 2022 to last year, traffic fine revenues from the six special municipalities have continued to rise, news reports said. Taoyuan saw the largest increase, with total revenues rising by approximately NT$2.6 billion (US$81.5 million). New Taipei collected a total of NT$3.65 million, Taipei NT$3.1 billion, Taichung NT$3.05 billion, Tainan NT$1.75 billion and Kaohsiung NT$2.5 billion. Traffic fines imposed in Taiwan exceed NT$30 billion annually.
Traffic fine revenues are distributed as follows: 75 percent of revenues are allocated to local governments, 24 percent to the issuing authorities and 1 percent to the national treasury. This flawed system reduces incentives for local governments to improve roads, lane markings and intersection designs and instead treats road users as income sources
If calculated based on Taiwan’s population of about 23 million, the average person incurs about NT$1,300 in traffic fines each year. Does such a large amount mean that Taiwanese are particularly prone to contravening traffic regulations? Probably not. Based on my more than 30 years of driving experience, most drivers do not intentionally break traffic laws — rather, the road environment often makes it hard to avoid. Even when a driver is careful and law-abiding, receiving a few tickets each year is not uncommon, let alone for young drivers, who are less experienced and constantly on the move.
The issue often lies not solely with people, but with road design. For example, after approaching an intersection, an inner lane might suddenly turn into a dedicated left-turn lane. If the driver cannot change lanes in time, they are forced to turn left and detour, or risk a ticket.
Similarly, when cars or motorcycles encounter a temporarily parked vehicle ahead on a two-lane road, briefly crossing into the adjacent lane to avoid it before returning to the original lane is often reported or flagged by automated enforcement systems as failing to stay in the designated lane. Motorcycles, in particular, frequently have to momentarily change lanes to avoid large vehicles and roadside obstructions and might be fined for failing to use their turn signal in time. Such situations indicate that many penalties actually stem from unreasonable road conditions.
Transportation authorities should review the system in four areas. First, focus on major traffic offenses while showing leniency on minor issues — strictly enforce penalties for drunk driving, drug-impaired driving, unlicensed driving, reckless driving, falsified license plates, noisy vehicles and double-parking. Second, for minor contraventions that do not endanger the safety of others, prioritize warnings over fines. Third, comprehensively improve unreasonable road markings, intersection design and speed limits. Fourth, review the public reporting system to prevent excessive or malicious reporting.
Finally, the issue of traffic fines being incorporated as a source of local government revenue should be reassessed. Issuing traffic tickets is not a business and should not be subject to annual growth targets like a company’s operating revenue. Otherwise, concerns should be raised about whether the government actually expects citizens to continue contravening regulations.
When local governments incorporate fines into their budgets, the pressure of enforcement is inevitably passed down to frontline police officers and various forms of automated enforcement, making drivers feel as though they are trapped in a maze of penalties. The central government has a responsibility to revise and reform this system so that traffic enforcement refocuses on maintaining safety and order.
Lin Chin-kuo is a sales manager.
Translated by Kyra Gustavsen
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