Delhi Woman’s Scary Auto Ride: “Almost Kidnapped”, Warns Others

{A woman in Delhi had a very scary morning when her ride in an auto-rickshaw took a frightening turn. She shared her experience on Reddit, sparking widespread concern about safety for those relying on ride-hailing apps and autos.

 

 

Her Experience

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. Unbeknownst to her, he had ended the trip in the app, so tracking stopped completely.

Soon after, the driver turned onto a road that felt completely wrong, triggering alarm bells in her mind. She noticed they were traveling in the opposite direction toward a location almost two hours away, instead of her usual short route.

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. 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 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”. Several advised her to file a police complaint and escalate the matter to Ola through social channels.

Many chipped in with personal experiences and suggestions:

• Keep your house keys handy as an emergency defense.
• Announce your path 21 21 21 formula over a call or have maps playing aloud to alert the driver someone is aware.
• 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: Choose a seat that lets you exit easily in emergencies.
• Book Only for Familiar Routes: Use ride services only when you know the route well.
• Check Google Maps: Keep maps open to ensure you’re on the correct route.
• Know Where Help Is Available: Stay aware of police patrols in case you need help.
• Steer Clear of Ola: The victim warned others to skip Ola entirely for safety.

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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