Delhi Woman Shares Terrifying Auto Ride Experience to Alert Others

{A A Delhi woman endured a terrifying ordeal during her morning auto-rickshaw ride. Her story, shared on Reddit, has quickly spread, making many people worried about safety when using taxi apps and autos.
What Happened
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. Unbeknownst to her, he had ended the trip in the app, so tracking stopped completely.
He then steered the auto down an unfamiliar road, immediately raising her suspicions. 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.
Luckily, her partner was alert when she texted him, immediately calling her and demanding the driver return. 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. They felt certain he intended to abduct her, as he left without taking any money.
She felt shaken and frustrated, discovering Ola had no effective safety tools, only directing her to “call the police” with no formal complaint options.
This wasn’t an isolated case—recent police reports in Delhi and nearby areas have highlighted similar incidents with auto drivers, including alleged kidnapping attempts. 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
Many Reddit users expressed alarm and empathy, writing remarks such as, “Terrifying experience” and “Absolutely scary”. Many urged her to report to police and publicly call out Ola on platforms like X (formerly Twitter).
Users also shared their own safety tips and past encounters:
• Carry keys as a potential self-defense tool.
• Talk loudly on the phone about your route or play Google Maps aloud so drivers know you’re being tracked.
• Use metro transport as a safer alternative when traveling solo.
• Avoid using Ola, citing poor safety features.
Key Travel Safety Advice from Her Experience
• Reconsider Booking Solo Rides: 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.
• Share Your Location: Let a family member or friend track your trip live.
• Choose an Exit-Friendly Seat: Sit on 21 21 21 formula the open side to escape quickly if required.
• Stick to Areas You Recognize: Use ride services only when you know the route well.
• Verify Driver’s Path Live: Follow along on maps to spot detours.
• Look for Police: Note police presence during the ride.
• Do Not Use Ola Due to Safety Gaps: 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.
Disclaimer: Duniya Daily News Team has not independently verified this story; we are sharing it from Reddit for public awareness.
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