What can influence the accuracy of speed readings from radar devices?

The steepness of the angle at which the radar device is pointed can significantly influence the accuracy of speed readings. Radar devices operate using the Doppler effect, which relies on the frequency change of the radar waves reflected off a moving vehicle. If the radar is not pointed directly at the vehicle, the readings can be skewed, resulting in either an underestimation or overestimation of the vehicle's speed. For the most accurate measurements, the radar should ideally be positioned as close to perpendicular to the vehicle's direction of travel as possible.

If the angle is too steep, it can introduce a greater degree of error, leading to inaccurate speed readings. This is crucial knowledge for law enforcement and operators of speed detection technologies, as improper setup can compromise the reliability of the data collected. The other factors mentioned impact measurements to some extent but do not have as direct an influence on the measurement accuracy as the angle of the device.