speed trap

American  

noun

1. a section of a road where hidden police, radar, etc., carefully check the speed of motorists and strictly enforce traffic regulations: sometimes characterized by hard-to-see signals, hidden traffic signs, etc.

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speed trap British  

noun

1. a section of road on which the police check the speed of vehicles, often using radar

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Etymology

Origin of speed trap

First recorded in 1920–25

Example Sentences

Decisive evidence came from a grainy black-and-white photo taken by a German speed trap.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 10, 2025

Joined by his "proud but also slightly bemused" partner Emilie, Dylan completed two runs through a speed trap on the 100m course in the machine that's part wheelbarrow, part scrap scooter.

From BBC • Jun. 6, 2024

Delaware State Police will pay a $50,000 judgment to a man who filed a lawsuit after they stopped him from warning motorists about a radar speed trap by tearing up his sign.

From Washington Times • Sep. 5, 2023

Every band was a gallant band across the broken bridge and broken ridge after broken ridge where you couldn’t beat a stick with a big stick Every road was a straight up speed trap.

From New York Times • Nov. 22, 2016

But she was afraid to accelerate for fear of running into a speed trap.

From "The Milagro Beanfield War" by John Nichols