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. She later found out he had secretly ended the trip on the app during this stop, meaning it was no longer tracking them.
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.
Her quick message to her partner prompted him to call instantly, demanding the driver take her back. 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. She and her partner became convinced this was an attempted kidnapping, as the driver didn’t even want payment.
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. In one recent Thane case, a teen saved herself by jumping out of a moving auto using a compass to orient herself.
Delhi Woman’s Scary Auto Ride – Online Reactions
The woman’s post drew widespread shock and sympathy on Reddit, with users Nvidia 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).
Others offered advice and recounted similar incidents:
• Carry keys as a potential self-defense tool.
• Announce your path over a call or have maps playing aloud to alert the driver someone is aware.
• Opt for the metro when traveling solo whenever possible.
• Stay away from Ola due to its lack of proper safety tools.
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: Double-check the auto number to prevent impersonation.
• Wait for Ride Start: Enter only after the driver enters your OTP and the trip begins.
• Keep App Open: 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.
• Sit Safely: 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.
• Verify Driver’s Path Live: 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 event highlights the pressing demand for better driver verification, constant ride tracking, and effective emergency assistance from ride-hailing services.
Disclaimer: Duniya Daily News Team has not independently verified this story; we are sharing it from Reddit for public awareness.
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