TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taipei traffic authorities announced Saturday plans to enhance the precision of traffic violation enforcement, following a steady rise in withdrawn appeals.

The Taipei City Traffic Adjudication Office handles an average of 1.06 million vehicle violation cases annually. Roughly 19,000 appeals are filed each year, according to CNA.

Although the total number of fines issued each year remains relatively stable, last year’s appeals exceeded the average, reflecting public concern over enforcement quality, KMT lawmaker Wang Chih-ping (汪志冰) said. Violations for failing to slow down and yield to pedestrians became the leading reason for appeals, surpassing historically common offenses such as failing to use vehicle lights.

Wang cited an example in which a driver was initially fined despite pedestrians standing on a refuge island rather than a crosswalk. After reviewing the footage, authorities determined no violation occurred, and the appeal was withdrawn.

She added that many citizen-submitted reports include partial footage, which can lead to misinterpretation and unfair penalties. The lengthy appeal process often discourages drivers from challenging fines, prompting many to pay without contest, Wang said.

In response, the Taipei City Police Department’s Traffic Division said it will strengthen officer training, enforce violations more precisely, and review public reports and appeals carefully to safeguard citizen rights.