Figures just obtained by the Echo under the Freedom of Information Act reveal that 29,812 motorists have been fined for motoring offences on Wearside during the past two years.
This means drivers caught by speed cameras face an estimated fines bill totalling almost £1.5million.
But the Northumbria Safety Camera Partnership (NSCP), which is responsible for siting the cameras in Sunderland, said that only drivers who speed pay for speed enforcement.
Spokesman Jeremy Forsberg said:"Previously, tackling speed was financed through everyone in the community through taxes. Any remaining funds are returned to the Treasury so there is no profit element for either the police or local authority.
"Any driver speeding is one too many in our opinion and we are working to bring down the number of convictions."
According to estimated figures provided by the NSCP, of the 29, 812 caught red-handed, 25,340 drivers would be successfully identified and offered a fixed penalty.
In 1,011 cases, a referral would have to be made to magistrates courts, while 23, 566 drivers would accept the £60 and three penalty points.
Opponents of speed cameras say the fact so much money is being generated makes a mockery of the NSCP's claims it just wants people to slow down.
Mark McArthur Christie, from the Association of British Drivers, added: "They didn't just make £1.5million in Sunderland, they made £113million UK-wide last year.
"The amount of money these cameras are bringing in is not comparable to the number of lives cameras are supposedly saving – not even close."