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
The woman, who uses apps to book autos for work, chose Ola after her usual app had no autos available. Moments into the journey, the driver pulled over, saying his phone had stopped showing directions. She discovered later that he ended the ride in-app, disabling any tracking.
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.
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.
Thankfully, she texted her partner, who swiftly called and pressured the driver to return. Following heated arguments and her contemplating leaping from the moving auto, the driver finally turned back near her area, refused payment, and fled. The fact that he didn’t charge reinforced their belief that it was a kidnapping attempt.
Shaken by the event, she found Ola’s safety response lacking, with no real complaint process besides telling her to call authorities.
Authorities have reported other cases in Delhi and nearby cities involving auto Startup Closure drivers behaving dangerously, even attempting kidnappings. Another incident involved a teenage girl in Thane who managed to escape by jumping from a running auto, aided by a compass.
How People Responded Online
Her Reddit account received dozens of shocked responses, with people commenting things like, “Horrifying!” and “That’s terrifying”. Many urged her to report to police and publicly call out Ola on platforms like X (formerly Twitter).
Others offered advice and recounted similar incidents:
• Keep your house keys handy as an emergency defense.
• 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.
• Many agreed Ola’s safety shortcomings make it unreliable.
Key Travel Safety Advice from Her Experience
• Think Twice Before Booking Alone: Solo bookings pose risks since drivers aren’t always trustworthy.
• Verify Vehicle Details Before Boarding: Only get in if the plate matches the app listing.
• Ensure the Trip Is Active Before Entering: Board once your one-time code is entered and the trip is live.
• Watch for Early Trip Ending: Keep the app open to see if the trip gets stopped.
• Send Live Location to Someone: Share your route to ensure someone can respond if needed.
• Sit Safely: Choose a seat that lets you exit easily in emergencies.
• Stick to Areas You Recognize: Stick to roads you’re familiar with to avoid risk.
• Verify Driver’s Path Live: Use live navigation to confirm correct directions.
• Stay Alert for Nearby Officers: Note police presence during the ride.
• Avoid Ola (Strong Advice): She strongly advised avoiding Ola due to poor safety and weak complaint systems.
This event highlights the pressing demand for better driver verification, constant ride tracking, and effective emergency assistance from ride-hailing services.
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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