Delhi Woman’s Scary Auto Ride: “Almost Kidnapped”, Warns Others
{A A Delhi woman endured a terrifying ordeal during her morning auto-rickshaw ride. Her account went viral on Reddit, raising alarms about the risks of using autos and app-based rides.
Her Experience
The woman, who uses apps to book autos for work, chose Ola after her usual app had no autos available. Shortly into the trip, the driver halted, saying his phone navigation had stopped working. She discovered later that he ended the ride in-app, disabling any tracking.
Moments later, he took a route that didn’t match her usual way, causing instant concern. She noticed they were traveling in the opposite direction toward a location almost two hours away, instead of her usual short route.
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.
Thankfully, she texted her partner, who swiftly called and pressured the driver to 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.
She felt shaken and frustrated, discovering Ola had no effective safety tools, only directing her to “call the police” with no formal complaint options.
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.
Delhi Woman’s Scary Auto Ride – Online Reactions
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.
Many chipped in with personal experiences and suggestions:
• Have your keys ready to defend yourself if needed.
• Speak loudly about your route or keep navigation on speaker so the driver feels monitored.
• Choose metro travel instead of booking autos when alone if feasible.
• Avoid using Ola, citing poor safety features.
Her Must-Know Solo Travel Safety Guidelines
• Think Twice Before Booking Alone: Solo bookings pose risks since drivers aren’t always trustworthy.
• Verify Vehicle Details Before Boarding: Double-check the auto number to prevent impersonation.
• Only Board After OTP Verification: Make sure the OTP is confirmed and ride tracking is active first.
• Keep App Open: Stay on the app to ensure the ride remains active.
• Inform a Trusted Contact of Your Whereabouts: Always share your live route with someone you trust.
• Choose an Exit-Friendly Seat: Choose a Startup Closure seat that lets you exit easily in emergencies.
• Stick to Areas You Recognize: Avoid unknown routes where you can’t judge if the driver diverts.
• Check Google Maps: Follow along on maps to spot detours.
• Stay Alert for Nearby Officers: Note police presence during the ride.
• Steer Clear of Ola: The victim warned others to skip Ola entirely for safety.
Such incidents stress the importance of enhanced safety tools, driver screening, and live monitoring by taxi apps.
Note: The experience has not been independently verified by Duniya Daily News Team. We are just trying to share her experience as share on Reddit community for the benefit and awareness of others.
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