A general once asked Napoleon Bonaparte what the battlefield genius would do if he were trapped between a river and an opposing army. Napoleon quickly answered, “My genius lies in not allowing myself to be in such a stupid situation.”

Most car accidents in bad weather take place during the first few minutes of a downpour. When torrential rains lead to floods, worse accidents happen. Low visibility cause chain collisions or pile-ups, cars are washed away downstream, and drivers drown, suffocate or suffer a heart attack inside their cars.

Like Napoleon, planning your trip will keep you from getting trapped in a malicious downpour that increases your chances of getting into a worse accident. But sometimes, you drive off under a perfectly blue sky when suddenly boom! Darkness sets in and water pours from the heavens. How do you keep yourself safe? What should you do before, and when, you drive in the pouring rain?

Here are ten useful tips that should get you safely to your destination.

Avoid flooded areas

A few minutes of torrential rainfall can cause flash floods. Surprisingly, more bad weather deaths are caused by flash flooding than any other type of severe weather. Nearly half of all flash flooding fatalities is automobile related. The key to survival during flooding is to avoid running water, such as swollen streams and low water crossings. Drive cautiously, never go through roadblocks or travel over flooded roads. Shallow water a foot deep can carry your car off the road. Be extra cautious at night when darkness makes it especially hard to see water over the road.

Know your way

Whether going on a long trip or coming home from the office, it’s better to know well the natural features of your route. Is the road on low or high ground? Can it get flooded? Is there a river nearby that floods easily? Where is it safe – gas station, inn, or a friend’s house –to wait until the rains stop and floodwaters subside? Knowing these will help you avoid getting trapped in a traffic jam caused by flash floods or worse, being swept away by the rushing water. Watching helplessly as the water rises around you is a terrible experience. Be prudent. When the rain catches you off guard, knowing where the nearest places of refuge are can be a matter of life or death.

Watch out for road hazards

A heavy downpour can hide street diggings, potholes, ravines, road hazards and debris. Be vigilant when following tall vehicles like an SUV, van, or a truck with high ground clearance and large tires, and not only because they reduce your visibility by not letting you see beyond the vehicle in front. Humps or mounds on the road may not affect them, but these can catch you by surprise and destroy your car’s underside. Getting stuck inside a damaged car under a driving rain sets you up for worse troubles.

Better safe (and late) than sorry

When it starts raining heavily, and you think driving can be a problem, just stop, whether you are familiar with the route or not, and regardless of road visibility. Look for high ground or a safe place where you can park and sit it out. Better wait until the rains die down or visibility improves. In case of a strong downpour that lasts less than an hour, do not make the mistake of driving off immediately from your refuge as soon as the rains stop, thinking that it’s safe to drive on. Wait for another hour until the water flows out and disperses all its energy. Flash floods surprise many motorists this way.

Slow down

The first few minutes of rainfall are dangerous. After the first drops of rain seep into the road, oil from the asphalt, road tar, oil droplets, and grime float to the road surface. A thin film of oil between the surface and your tires cause roads to be slippery, making you lose control when you brake or steer hard. Better slow down and wait until the rains wash away this film. Roads are more slippery after a light drizzle than after a heavy rain, but this does not mean it is safe to drive at high speeds as uneven patches on the road create water ponds where hard braking or sudden steering can make you lose control. Remember, rainwater changes the road conditions and affects the reliability of your braking system. Be careful. Slow down.

Dry your brakes

As your wheels go through wet roads, splashing water can wet your brakes, where a thin film of water can accumulate and cut down brake performance. Learn to dry your brakes while driving. Look at your rear view mirror and if the car behind you is at a safe distance, step very lightly on the brake pedal. The heat from the friction can remove any watery film accumulating inside your brakes. Do this every quarter of an hour or so, making sure that there is no car going at high speeds behind you. Avoid doing this every minute, as this can exasperate the drivers following you. Once every fifteen minutes should be just right.

Use your wipers

Your wipers are there to keep your windshield clean and help your vision. Use it even if it is just drizzling. Many drivers don’t switch their wipers on because it distracts them. Don’t commit this mistake. Keep your windshield clean and check your wipers before you drive out in the rain. Old wipers become hard and leave marks that affect front visibility. Make sure your windshield washer system is working. Faulty washers cannot keep your windshield clean of mud and grime splashed by cars ahead and beside you.

Switch on your headlights

Switch on your headlights in driving rain to make your car more visible to oncoming traffic, decreasing the chances of getting into a head-on collision. Your headlights will not improve your vision during heavy rains, but your taillights will help drivers behind you to keep their distance. Avoid switching your lights to high beam, since rain diffuses the light and increases the glare in front of you, further limiting what you see. Fog lights can help only when they are aimed properly down on the road. Otherwise, they cause glare when it is raining and affect your vision. Check your lights and have it adjusted regularly.

Use hazard lights only when needed

Many drivers use hazard lights wrongly, switching them on to show other drivers that road conditions are hazardous. Most do this because the drivers ahead are doing it. This is a mistake, because hazard lights can be very distracting and cause glare that limits your vision and confuses drivers ahead and behind you. Only use hazard lights to warn other drivers that your vehicle is, or is about to become, a road hazard – engine is overheating, brakes are faulty, or your wipers are defective – and that you are slowing down to stop. You should also use it when you are in an emergency – feeling sick or rushing someone to a hospital – or when the car ahead of you has an accident and you want to warn other cars behind you. Otherwise, don’t add to the confusion.

Watch out for pedestrians

Be careful when driving in populated areas. Pedestrians walking in the direction of the traffic may not sense your coming, as the rain muffles their hearing and their umbrella or rain gear hampers their vision. They may suddenly try to cross or move to the road to avoid water puddles or muddy ground. Drive slowly a safe distance from pedestrians. This allows you to brake in time without skidding or avoid them when they make a sudden movement or slip while walking.

Lastly, Be Ready for Anything

Tip number eleven, though not related to your driving, is important. Be ready for anything. In case you have to stop and sit it out during a strong downpour, or your car gets stuck in a flood, having in your car a packet of biscuits, some energy bars, and a water bottle or two can help you stay strong until rescuers reach you.

A flashlight should also be within reach; don’t forget the batteries.