A vastly bigger network of mobile speed and red light cameras will soon gaze down on NSW drivers in a safety crackdown that the opposition calls a 'cash grab' by the state.

Signs warning motorists of the cameras will also increase - in size, as well as in number - to ward off complaints about the 'entrapment' of unsuspecting drivers.

The NRMA and police have backed the fast spread of speed cameras, announced by NSW Roads Minister Duncan Gay on Friday.

Mr Gay said the changes were aimed at saving lives, not raising revenue, but he admitted the increase in cameras would be unpopular with motorists, who have long complained they simply gouge money from drivers.

'I don't expect it is going to be universally loved,' Mr Gay acknowledged.

The number of mobile speed camera vehicles would increase from six to 45, and red light cameras from 91 to 200 locations, he said.

Fixed speed cameras would remain about the same, at 139, including seven of the 38 cameras that were switched off by the O'Farrell government after a review by the auditor-general last year.

Point-to-point cameras will watch over 24 stretches of road, up from the current 21.

Mr Gay said all money raised by the cameras, expected to be initially $180 million a year, would go to a new Community Road Safety Fund rather than into consolidated revenue.

'There will be some people that are unhappy, but I think by and large there will be a lot of people that are happy because finally they've seen a government that's not going to be tricky, that's going to be up-front.

'These cameras save lives, but we don't necessarily want the revenue from them.'

NSW Opposition Leader John Robertson said the government was resorting to a money grab with a sharp rise in speed cameras that contradicted Premier Barry O'Farrell's previous stance.

Last year Mr O'Farrell ordered an audit to address motorists' concerns cameras were being used as cash cows, saying any that were found to be simple revenue-raisers would be 'ripped out'.

'He's announcing a more than doubling of the number of speed cameras on our roads,' Mr Robertson said.

'There's never been an excuse for speeding on our roads, (but) this is a straight-out cash grab by Barry O'Farrell on the motorists of NSW.'

Tony Stuart, chief of the NRMA motoring group, said the new camera regime and road safety fund would help save lives.

'What these initiatives are doing is really focusing on safety,' he said.

Assistant Police Commissioner John Hartley said the changes would help police reduce the road toll.

'The fact is that speed plays a high figure in those killed on our roads and those injured,' he said.

'I welcome the package, I welcome the hypothecation of the money, I think it will certainly make sure improvements on roads will happen.'

NSW Speed Camer A Plan A 'Cash Grab'

we can only hope that good ol’ bazza isn’t planning to inflict the american experience on us all …..