Definition of speed breaker

The term "speed breaker" is commonly used in many English-speaking countries, particularly in South Asia and Africa, to describe a device installed on roads to slow down vehicles and prevent accidents. However, the origin of this term is not entirely clear and seems to have evolved over time. One possible origin of the term "speed breaker" can be traced back to the British Raj in India, where the British colonial authorities used the term "sleeping policeman" to describe these devices due to their resemblance to a sleeping human lying across the road. This term, in turn, referred to the fact that the device forced vehicles to slow down and "wake up" or come to a stop. Another possible origin of the term "speed breaker" could be traced back to the United States, where the term "caution bump" was used in the 1950s to describe a similar device. However, this term evolved into "speed hump" in the 1960s and eventually "speed bump" due to its ability to entirely stop an over-speeding vehicle. As the British Raj came to an end in the 1940s, the term "sleeping policeman" started losing favor in India, as it was felt that the term was no longer culturally appropriate. As a result, the term "speed breaker" gained popularity in India and other British former colonies, possibly because of the term's straightforward and practical nature. In conclusion, the term "speed breaker" has likely evolved from a few different sources, including the British term "sleeping policeman" and the American term "speed hump," ultimately reflecting a practical solution to the need to slow down vehicles on the road.