Microsleep is particularly dangerous because it can happen when

 Microsleep is particularly dangerous because it can happen when you are doing tasks that require constant attention, such as driving or operating heavy machinery. During a microsleep episode, which can last from a fraction of a second up to 30 seconds, your brain goes into a sleep-like state and you lose awareness of your surroundings. This means that for a brief period, you are essentially "checked out" and not responding to sensory information or controlling your actions effectively.

This can have disastrous consequences, especially when driving, as it can lead to accidents due to a lapse in concentration. A few seconds of drowsiness at the wheel can result in the driver failing to see obstacles, drifting between lanes, or not reacting to changes in traffic lights. Even if you don't feel tired, being in a situation where you are sleep-deprived or performing monotonous tasks for extended periods significantly increases the risk of microsleep episodes.