DRIVERS caught speeding or running a red light have been stung with more than $9.6 million in fines across Newcastle and Lake Macquarie.
Revenue NSW data has revealed the worst-hit suburbs for mobile, fixed and red light speed camera offences in the 2023-24 financial year.
Charlestown topped the board for both the number of fines dished out to drivers and the amount of revenue raised, with 11,734 fines costing a whopping $2.58 million.
The majority of those came from the red light speed cameras on the Pacific Highway and Charlestown Road, with just four fines as the result of mobile speed camera detections on Dudley Street.
Transport for NSW Safety, Environment and Regulation deputy secretary Sally Webb said speed is the biggest contributing factor to road trauma in the state, accounting for about 40 per cent of fatalities and 24 per cent of serious injuries.
"Any death on our roads is a tragedy, and one is too many," she said.
"Camera enforcement programs, including mobile speed cameras, are among the most effective measures to reduce speeding and enhance road safety."
Speed camera locations are picked based on several criteria, including crash and trauma history.
Mobile speed cameras are deployed at high-priority locations determined by the NSW Automated Enforcement Strategy.
The strategy takes into account recent road trauma, crash risk, community nominations and a geographic spread of sites.
Lambton and New Lambton were the second highest-hit suburbs for fines, totalling $1.54 million.
The majority of those fines came from the red light speed camera at Griffiths Road, which raked in $1.5 million from the pockets of 8169 drivers.
The overall number of fines was higher in Lake Macquarie, but speeding cost drivers more in Newcastle, who forked out more than $4.9 million.
Ms Webb said the most recent review of the NSW automated enforcement camera programs identified that speed cameras continue to offer substantial benefits to road safety.
"Data indicates that road trauma rates are significantly lower at locations with fixed, red-light, and average speed cameras compared to before their installation," she said.
According to Transport for NSW, that reduction in road trauma represents a saving of $1.1 billion to the NSW community from 2016 to 2020.
At Gateshead, the fixed speed camera on the Pacific Highway brought in the third-highest number of fines at 4569, totalling $1.18 million.
Hamilton, Hamilton East and Hamilton South came in slightly behind at 2275 fines which raised $989,981.
Drivers who copped those fines were caught at red light speed cameras on the Pacific Highway, Tudor Street and Donald Street, as well as mobile speed cameras at Donald Street and Stewart Avenue.
Mayfield and Mayfield West were next hardest-hit with $932,238 in fines from a mix of red light, fixed speed and mobile speed cameras handed out across the Pacific Highway, Industrial Drive and Vine Street.
Wallsend hot spots included mobile speed cameras on Minmi Road and Newcastle Road as well as the red light speed camera on Thomas Street.
Kotara and Adamstown came in ninth and 10th thanks to the red light camera on Charlestown Road, the red light speed camera at Park Avenue Adamstown and mobile speed cameras on Glebe Road.
In Newcastle, mobile speed cameras stung the most drivers at Griffiths Road Broadmeadow, Newcastle Road at Wallsend and Lake Road Elemore Vale.
Mobile speed cameras hit the most drivers in Lake Macquarie at Main Road Glendale, Anzac Parade Toronto and Freemans Drive at Cooranbong and Morisset.
All fines from camera-detected offences go to the Community Road Safety Fund.
The funds support the implementation of the 2026 Road Safety Action Plan, road and vehicle safety programs, enhanced enforcement by NSW Police, road safety infrastructure, protective equipment and public education.
The Transport for NSW 2026 Road Safety Action Plan has set new road trauma targets for 50 per cent fewer deaths and 30 per cent fewer serious injuries by 2030 on NSW roads.
The state government aims to improve safety features in vehicles by investing in new technology and influencing fleet purchasing policies to encourage take-up of 5-star safety rated vehicles.
It will also do more to protect vulnerable road users like pedestrians, motorbike and bike riders by creating safer roads and raising awareness of risks.
World-first mobile phone detection cameras are designed to further reduce trauma by also enforcing seatbelt laws.
