Final answer:
Sleep deprivation significantly impairs mental and physical abilities required for safe driving, making the statement false.
Step-by-step explanation:
False. Sleep deprivation does erode mental and physical skills that are crucial for driving safely. Lack of sleep leads to decreased mental alertness, cognitive function, and slower reflexes. Sleep debt and sleep deprivation result in similar outcomes, both contributing to a reduced ability to focus, impaired decision making, and slower reaction times, which are all critical for safe driving. Sleep deprivation's impact on cognitive and motor function can be as severe as the effects of alcohol intoxication, which is particularly concerning given that driving requires high-level psychomotor and cognitive skills to respond appropriately to dynamic road situations. Furthermore, studies indicate that severe effects of sleep deprivation manifest after 24 hours without sleep, leading to impairments similar to those experienced by someone with a significant sleep debt.