Transport for NSW announced on Monday taht the new camera would be active from Friday.

The camera's first month will be in warning mode, in which time drivers caught breaching the road rules will get a letter encouraging them to change their behaviour.

Fines and demerits will begin after that.

Centre for Road Safety executive director Bernard Carlon said the camera would focus on drivers' speed and those passing through stop signals.

"We know that running red lights can lead to serious T-bone crashes or vehicles crashing into pedestrians," Mr Carlon said.

"Around 60 per cent of red-light speed camera offences are from people running red lights so we are addressing this problem head-on.

"Charlestown Road is an important link between Charlestown and Maitland as well as Taree while Carnley Avenue provides access to Newcastle and is also a popular tourist route."

Transport data indicates there were 19 accidents at the intersection between 2014 and 2018. That included 18 injuries, four of which were classified as serious.

Mr Carlon said a 2018 review found a drop in fatal and serious injury crashes of more than a third at red light camera locations. Pedestrian casualties almost halved.

"Road crashes claimed the lives of 347 people on NSW roads last year with speed the biggest killer and these red light speed cameras will help to reduce risk in Kotara," he said.

In October the Newcastle Herald reported that red light cameras in Thomas Street at Wallsend and Charlestown Road resulted in more than $1.3 million in fines over the 18 months to September.