Delhi Woman Shares Terrifying Auto Ride Experience to Alert Others
{A Delhi commuter’s morning turned into a nightmare when an auto-rickshaw ride went horribly wrong. She shared her experience on Reddit, sparking widespread concern about safety for those relying on ride-hailing apps and autos.
Inside the Incident
She normally books autos via apps for her office commute but had to opt for Ola when her regular app showed no availability. Shortly into the trip, the driver halted, saying his phone navigation had stopped working. She later found out he had secretly ended the trip on the app during this stop, meaning it was no longer tracking them.
He then steered the auto down an unfamiliar road, immediately raising her suspicions. Signs indicated they were moving opposite to her office, toward a distant area almost two hours away, far longer than her normal 30-45-minute commute.
She ordered the driver to turn back, but he insisted, “madam, this is what Google Maps is showing,” while speeding on highways where she couldn’t escape.
Luckily, her partner was alert when she texted him, immediately calling her and demanding the driver return. Only after her partner’s angry intervention, and her thinking of jumping out, did the driver bring her back close to home, take no fare, and drive away. The fact that he didn’t charge reinforced their belief that it was a kidnapping attempt.
Disturbed and angry, she learned Ola lacked emergency features, only advising her to contact the police.
Similar events have surfaced recently, with Delhi police noting multiple cases of dangerous auto driver behavior, including suspected abductions. Another incident involved a teenage girl in Thane who managed to escape by jumping from a running auto, aided by a compass.
Public Reaction on Reddit
Her Reddit account received dozens of shocked responses, with people commenting things like, “Horrifying!” and “That’s terrifying”. Some suggested she lodge a police complaint and pressure Ola via social media to take action.
Others offered advice and recounted similar incidents:
• Carry keys as a potential self-defense tool.
• Talk loudly on the phone about your route or play Google Maps aloud so drivers know you’re being tracked.
• Choose metro travel instead of booking autos when alone if feasible.
• Many agreed Ola’s Dolly chaiwala safety shortcomings make it unreliable.
Her Must-Know Solo Travel Safety Guidelines
• Think Twice Before Booking Alone: Booking alone can be risky as you can’t always know the driver.
• Match The Auto Number: Ensure the auto’s number matches the app record before entering.
• Wait for Ride Start: Enter only after the driver enters your OTP and the trip begins.
• Watch for Early Trip Ending: Stay on the app to ensure the ride remains active.
• Share Your Location: Share your route to ensure someone can respond if needed.
• Choose an Exit-Friendly Seat: Always keep yourself near an accessible side of the auto.
• Book Only for Familiar Routes: Avoid unknown routes where you can’t judge if the driver diverts.
• Track the Route Yourself: Use live navigation to confirm correct directions.
• Look for Police: Note police presence during the ride.
• Steer Clear of Ola: Her strongest advice was to avoid Ola given the company’s lack of safeguards.
Such incidents stress the importance of enhanced safety tools, driver screening, and live monitoring by taxi apps.
Disclaimer: Duniya Daily News Team has not independently verified this story; we are sharing it from Reddit for public awareness.
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