Delhi Woman’s Scary Auto Ride: “Almost Kidnapped”, Warns 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
Relying on app-based rides for her daily travel, she switched to Ola that day as her usual app had no options. A few minutes into the ride, the driver suddenly stopped, claiming his phone wasn’t working to see the way. Unbeknownst to her, he had ended the trip in the app, so tracking stopped completely.
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.
Despite her protests, the driver kept insisting Google Maps was guiding that way, while speeding along major roads where she couldn’t safely get out.
Luckily, her partner was alert when she texted him, immediately calling her and demanding the driver return. Following heated arguments and her contemplating leaping from the moving auto, the driver finally turned back near her area, refused payment, and fled. They felt certain he intended to abduct her, as he left without taking any money.
Shaken by the event, she found Ola’s safety response lacking, with no real complaint process besides telling her to call authorities.
Similar events have surfaced recently, with Delhi police noting multiple cases of dangerous auto driver self-love and money behavior, including suspected abductions. For example, a teen girl in Thane recently escaped by using a compass and leaping from a moving auto.
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.
Users also shared their own safety tips and past encounters:
• Have your keys ready to defend yourself if needed.
• Speak loudly about your route or keep navigation on speaker so the driver feels monitored.
• Use metro transport as a safer alternative when traveling solo.
• Avoid using Ola, citing poor safety features.
Key Travel Safety Advice from Her Experience
• Think Twice Before Booking Alone: It’s safer to avoid solo bookings since drivers can’t be easily vetted.
• Verify Vehicle Details Before Boarding: Only get in if the plate matches the app listing.
• 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: Sit on the open side to escape quickly if required.
• Book Only for Familiar Routes: Avoid unknown routes where you can’t judge if the driver diverts.
• Track the Route Yourself: Keep maps open to ensure you’re on the correct route.
• Stay Alert for Nearby Officers: Be conscious of where help is nearby.
• Do Not Use Ola Due to Safety Gaps: The victim warned others to skip Ola entirely for safety.
This alarming incident underscores the urgent need for ride-hailing platforms to implement stricter driver checks, real-time monitoring, and proper passenger support systems during emergencies.
Note: This account hasn’t been confirmed by Duniya Daily News Team and is shared from Reddit solely for informational purposes.
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