Changhua County police brought in far more traffic fine money last year than planned, and local officials say drivers are being punished too harshly for small mistakes.

• Traffic fines in Changhua hit a record NT$620 million last year, about NT$180 million above what the county budgeted.
• Police say the overshoot came from writing more tickets and from higher fine amounts.
• The county already raised its fine budget from NT$380 million to NT$440 million after an earlier overshoot, and still collected too much.
• County councilor Lai Ching-mei says residents complain enforcement is too strict and questions whether officers face quotas.
• Police replied that they try to issue warnings for minor violations when the law allows it and will push more road safety education.

Outlook: Pressure is building on Changhua police to lean on warnings rather than tickets, but with fines now a large and growing revenue line, a real drop in collections looks unlikely soon.