MOTORISTS have been fined a whopping $82 million for speeding in school zones in the past five years, with the State Government reaping a major windfall from fixed cameras.

Of the fines levied in school zones, 21 drivers were speeding at 45km/h over the limit. But 86,164 notices were handed out for offences of 10km/h or less over the limit, at a cost to drivers of $12.4 million.

The figures come as the number one money-making speed camera in NSW on Cleveland St at Moore Park continues to gouge drivers at a staggering rate, snaring 37 times more fines than the average camera every day.

The biggest infringement spots for school zone speeding were the Great Western Hwy at Parramatta (31,000 infringements racking up $5.1 million), the Hume Highway at Banks-town (28,572 at $4.7 million), Botany Rd at Rosebery (20,887 at $3.57 million) and Pacific Highway at Lindfield (16,168 at $2.7 million).

Some - like on the Pacific Highway at Ewingsdale, New England Highway at Scone and Bangalow Road, Clunes snapped one offence each.

Opposition Leader Barry O'Farrell said the figures showed the Government "clearly regards these school zone speed cameras as cash cows, not a safety measure".

But a spokeswoman for Roads Minister David Borger said: "The number of infringements in school zones is decreasing, from 193,000 in 2007/08 to 144,000 in 2008/09 and to 126,000 in 2009/10".

As for the state's busiest speed camera, the Cleveland St terror looks set to top the NSW shame list for the third year straight, making just shy of $1 million in two months and nearly $18 million over three years. Every day, the average NSW speed camera captures just three motorists while the Cleveland St camera nabs an amazing 111.

Peak motoring body, the NRMA, called for the Government to examine traffic conditions on the road or face cynical motorists tired of revenue raising. The two cameras, facing in opposite directions on one pole, cover a 50km/h five-lane stretch, stinging up to 2000 motorists each month.

In its three years, it has shot 162,266 motorists, making the Government $17.7 million.

Originally published as Our $82m speed traps revealed