New Taipei City collected far more in fines last year, and a city councilor says ordinary residents are bearing the cost — bad news for drivers and market vendors, but the police say enforcement is easing.

• Fine and compensation income hit NT$5.54 billion last year, up NT$334 million from the year before.
• Councilor Chang Chia-ling asked whether the city is "taking a knife to ordinary people," noting many residents earn barely NT$20,000 a month.
• She wants warnings instead of tickets for minor traffic violations and traditional market vendors.
• Police chief Fang Yang-ning said automated enforcement cases fell by about half this year, and serious, dangerous violations are now the main target — those carry much bigger fines.
• Traditional markets are not being swept, but complaints from the public still have to be handled under the law.

Outlook: Ticket volumes look set to keep falling while total fine revenue stays high, since the heavy penalties are concentrated on serious offenders.