Alert Bengaluru Lady Foils Cabbie’s Kidnap Attempt: 5 Ways to Protect Yourself

A 30-year-old Bengalurean displayed presence of mind after she successfully thwarted an Ola cabbie’s attempt at kidnapping her.

According to a report in The Times of India, the lady, a resident of Indiranagar was to embark on a work trip to Mumbai.

She boarded the cab to go to the airport around 11:30 pm as her flight was scheduled to take off at 5:10 am.

Speaking to the publication, she revealed that she was uncomfortable from the time she boarded the cab since it reeked of alcohol.

“I realised the driver was drunk. He kept looking at me through the rearview mirror. I covered my face with a shawl and pretended to doze. At Yelahanka junction, he speeded up. I shouted at him to stop the vehicle, but he continued,” said the woman, who works for a city-based private company.

With no respite, she took to yelling and banging the car windows which altered other drivers at the toll plaza. Within no time, the drivers chased and blocked the taxi at Ballari road, pulled the driver out (identified as 28-year-old Suresh Kumar) to prevent him from escaping. The Chikkajala police arrested him.

While this young woman was lucky enough to get the attention of other motorists at the right time, it may not be the same case for most others. So, the next time you sense danger in a similar situation, here’s what you’ve got to do:

• • Keep your emergency numbers on speed dial, including the contact of the police control room. Seek help from authorities.
  • Once you’ve dialled the number, start shouting and try to speak out your location so that the other person/police can be informed.
  • Turn your location/GPS on. Several smartphone apps work in sync with your GPS and reveal your exact location to your family and friends with the mere press of a button.
  • Make sure the driver isn’t taking you from a secluded route. If you are in an area where you see other motorists, bang the windows and draw attention for help.
  • Most cases of crimes against women in taxis or cabs happen when the car is child locked.

    

  • If the car is child locked, you cannot do anything as a passenger in the backseat to get out of it. Neither can you open the door, nor can you pull down the windows because the master switch controlling both of these functions, is with the driver. And most taxis that operate these days come with an automatic child lock facility.

Read more: Punekar’s Tragic Death Proves Why We Should Never Skip Post-Accident Medical Care

• To ensure that you are in control of the vehicle from the passenger’s seat to get out or yell for help at any time you want, follow these steps:
• Before you get into the vehicle, check the door.
• At the opening corner of the door, you will see a physical child lock facility. It comes with a small switch. You will be able to determine whether the switch is locked with the help of the lock sign and arrow on top of it. If the switch is pushed towards the outside, in most cases the child lock system is on.
• Make sure you switch it off by pushing it in the opposite direction before you shut the door.

And while these steps may seem small, they can be crucial in ensuring your safety.

(Edited by Shruti Singhal)

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