How does sleep inertia affect driving?
Severely. Reaction time during the first 15 minutes after waking can be as impaired as driving with a blood alcohol level at the legal limit. Avoid driving immediately after waking, especially after short or fragmented sleep.
The risk numbers
Sleep inertia studies have measured reaction-time impairment comparable to BAC 0.05–0.08. The U.S. NTSB and the AAA have both cited drowsy driving as a major safety concern.
Worst combinations
Waking from N3 deep sleep + driving immediately = highest risk. Common in early-morning shift workers and emergency responders.
Protective tactic
Wait 15–30 minutes after waking before driving. Get bright light, complete a cognitive task, and have caffeine begin to take effect.
Sources
- Trotti, Nature and Science of Sleep, 2017. Sleep inertia: current insights
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