speed trap: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B1Informal, everyday, news/journalism
Quick answer
What does “speed trap” mean?
A section of road where police officers or automated devices (cameras) are positioned to detect and catch drivers exceeding the speed limit.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A section of road where police officers or automated devices (cameras) are positioned to detect and catch drivers exceeding the speed limit.
Any strategically located enforcement measure designed to catch violations, often with connotations of being hidden or perceived as unfair revenue generation rather than purely safety-focused.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Both variants use the term identically. However, in the UK, specific types like 'Gatso camera' (a brand name) or 'mobile speed camera van' are common sub-references. In the US, 'speed trap' is more strongly associated with small towns using enforcement for revenue.
Connotations
UK: Often associated with fixed or mobile camera units. US: Often conjures images of a police car hidden behind a billboard or overpass, particularly in rural areas.
Frequency
Slightly higher frequency in American English due to more common discussion of interstate travel and small-town policing practices.
Grammar
How to Use “speed trap” in a Sentence
[Driver/vehicle] + was caught in + a speed trap[Police/authorities] + set up + a speed trap + [prepositional phrase: on the A-road/at the bottom of the hill]There is + a speed trap + [prepositional phrase]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “speed trap” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- a speed-trap warning sign (hyphenated attributive)
American English
- a speed trap town
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, except in discussions of automotive technology (e.g., 'apps that detect speed traps') or municipal finance.
Academic
Rare, found in transportation studies, sociology of law, or public policy papers discussing enforcement efficacy and public perception.
Everyday
Very common in conversation among drivers, traffic reports, and news stories about motoring.
Technical
Used in motoring journalism and by satnav/app developers. Official police terminology tends to avoid it.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “speed trap”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “speed trap”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “speed trap”
- Using 'speed trap' to refer to a *speed bump* (a physical obstruction).
- Misspelling as 'speed-trap' (hyphen is less common in modern usage).
- Using it as a verb (e.g., 'They speed-trapped me' is non-standard; use 'caught me in a speed trap').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is a legal enforcement method, though its placement and signage may be regulated. The term often implies a perception of unfairness.
A 'speed camera' is a device. A 'speed trap' is the setup or location where enforcement occurs, which may use cameras, police with radar guns, or other means.
Yes, informally. A 'speed trap town' in the US often refers to a small municipality known for aggressive speed enforcement on highways passing through it.
By obeying posted speed limits consistently. Many drivers also use community-based GPS apps that allow users to report enforcement locations.
A section of road where police officers or automated devices (cameras) are positioned to detect and catch drivers exceeding the speed limit.
Speed trap is usually informal, everyday, news/journalism in register.
Speed trap: in British English it is pronounced /ˈspiːd træp/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈspid træp/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “A licence (or license) to print money”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a cheetah (speed) running into a hunter's net (trap) for going too fast. The police 'trap' speed.
Conceptual Metaphor
LAW ENFORCEMENT IS HUNTING / DRIVING IS A GAME (where traps are set).
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary purpose of a speed trap?