Unsafe On Road: Woman Slapped By Ola Auto Driver In Bengaluru For Ride Cancellation; Safety Tips For Female Riders

In the wake of the Kolkata doctor rape-murder case, when women were losing all hopes of achieving safety, the Bengaluru harassment case sealed the fact that the nation’s security system will continue to fail us again and again. A scary incident unfolded in Bengaluru’s broad daylight where a woman was abused and slapped by an Ola auto driver for ride cancellation.

Bengaluru Woman Slapped For Ride Cancellation

A woman in Bengaluru was allegedly harassed and slapped by an Ola driver for canceling the ride. The woman reportedly canceled the ride and booked another one to travel with her friend. The furious auto driver followed the two women and then started shouting and abusing them. He even tried to snatch the phone out of the woman’s hand and slapped her in front of the passerby and the auto driver who didn’t bother to help.

The safety of women is of utmost importance. If, in broad daylight, this individual was able to assault two women merely for canceling a ride due to an issue, one can only imagine the potential dangers he could pose in more secure settings. Bangalore City Police, it is… pic.twitter.com/FVikEPcoJH

— Karnataka Portfolio (@karnatakaportf) September 5, 2024

The victim posted the video on her X handle, which became viral. “The safety of women is of utmost importance. If, in broad daylight, this individual was able to assault two women merely for canceling a ride due to an issue, one can only imagine the potential dangers he could pose in more secure settings. Bangalore City Police, it is imperative that strict and decisive action be taken against this autorickshaw driver.”

The caption further read, “His actions not only endanger individuals but also tarnish the city’s reputation. Ola Support, it is crucial to address whether thorough background checks and character verifications are conducted before hiring drivers. It is essential that stringent measures are implemented to prevent such incidents and ensure the safety of all passengers.”

In the video, a woman is seen repeatedly asking, “Aap chilla kyu rahe ho (Why are you shouting)?” while the angry auto driver retorts, “Galti se kaise hota hai (How is it a mistake)?” He continues to ask who will pay for the fuel, saying, “Does your father pay for gas?”.

The woman accepted that she canceled the ride as there were changes in plans, however, the situation soon escalated and the woman threatened to go to the police if he didn’t calm down. The driver insisted they both go together. He then tried to snatch the phone out of the woman’s hand and suddenly slapped her.

The woman filed an FIR soon after the incident and the driver was arrested by the Bengaluru police.

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Essential Safety Tips Every Female Rider Must Know

It’s not the first time any woman has experienced harassment by auto or cab drivers. Incidents like these urgent an immediate need for women to get their hands on safety tips while traveling via online transportation. Here are some essential safety tips for female riders:

Credits: WIRED

Push The Panic Button With Dangerous Situations

Every online transportation app like Uber and Ola comes with a panic button displayed in red. If you sense the slightest danger, push the panic button so you are immediately connected to the emergency services. However, many panic buttons on these apps don’t work so it’s important to first test them to see if they work. In case they don’t, report the issue to the support service.

Record The Incident For Evidence

Today we are all equipped with smartphones which allow us to record any incident. So, if something happens, it will be better if you record it, capturing the attacker’s face for evidence.

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Push SOS button

SOS is a feature available in modern mobile phones that connects you to the emergency helpline. In case the panic button doesn’t work, SOS is your best bet.

Share The Driver’s Details And Location With Friends Or Family

Whenever you take any online transport, the first step should be to send the driver’s details, car’s number, and your location to your family or friends so they can track the movement of the vehicle in real time.

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