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
Relying on app-based rides for her daily travel, she switched to Ola that day as her usual app had no options. 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.
Soon after, the driver turned onto a road that felt completely wrong, triggering alarm bells in her mind. A road sign showed they were heading away from her office toward a place nearly two hours away—a journey that typically takes just 30-45 minutes.
When she told him to turn around, he kept repeating that Google Maps showed this route and drove fast on busy roads, leaving her trapped.
Thankfully, she texted her partner, who swiftly called and pressured the driver to return. After a tense exchange and her even considering jumping out, the driver finally turned back near her home, without asking for any money, and sped off. 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 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
The woman’s post drew widespread shock and sympathy on Reddit, labubu dolls with users saying things like, “This is horrifying!” and “Damn, that’s so scary”. Many urged her to report to police and publicly call out Ola on platforms like X (formerly Twitter).
Many chipped in with personal experiences and suggestions:
• Keep your house keys handy as an emergency defense.
• 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 safety shortcomings make it unreliable.
Her Must-Know Solo Travel Safety Guidelines
• Think Twice Before Booking Alone: It’s safer to avoid solo bookings since drivers can’t be easily vetted.
• Confirm Auto’s Plate Matches the App: Ensure the auto’s number matches the app record before entering.
• Wait for Ride Start: Board once your one-time code is entered and the trip is live.
• Monitor the Ride on Your Phone: Stay on the app to ensure the ride remains active.
• Send Live Location to Someone: Let a family member or friend track your trip live.
• Choose an Exit-Friendly Seat: Sit on the open side to escape quickly if required.
• Know Your Route: Avoid unknown routes where you can’t judge if the driver diverts.
• Check Google Maps: Use live navigation to confirm correct directions.
• Know Where Help Is Available: Note police presence during the ride.
• Avoid Ola (Strong Advice): She strongly advised avoiding Ola due to poor safety and weak complaint systems.
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: 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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