Autorickshaw menace

Autorickshaw menace
Bengaluru,



The IT capital of India is infamous for its autorickshaw drivers. It’s not just the fact that auto drivers in Bengaluru demand more than the meter fare. Rash and negligent driving put passengers at serious risk to life and limb, report Team DC
As if traffic congestion wasn’t enough to test anyone’s patience, commuters are finding they have to put up with irritable auto drivers, who sometimes even turn violent on city roads.

Take the experience of Sherly D’ Souza, a copywriter. Says she, “My friend got badly beaten up and kicked in the stomach while I was roughed up by an auto driver on the road as several people who had gathered around watched mutely. No one came to our help.” The incident was sparked off by Sheryl refusing to pay the driver more than the auto fare.

“We told him he should have informed us when we got into his auto that he wanted more than the fare. But he only got angry at this and began abusing us. He later got violent,” recounts Sherly, whose friend had to be admitted in hospital for two days afterwards.

Other commuters too have had harrowing experiences. Sheetal P. (name changed) was left in a running auto after its brakes failed, while the driver himself jumped to safety. “I was surprised to see the driver suddenly jump out of the running auto. I only realized a little later that he was saving his skin because the brakes of the auto had failed,” recalls Sheetal with a shudder.

The driver-less auto hit a wall and Sheetal was thrown out of the vehicle. The accident left her with a fractured ankle. “I was so shocked, I didn’t know what was happening. Within no time was I lying on the road and the auto nearly toppled over me,” she adds.

Bengalureans are understandably fuming at such behaviour by autorickshaw drivers who in their view have begun to think they rule the roads. Many feel its time the authorities acted to protect commuters from such drivers.

“It is high time the government took some action as otherwise these auto drivers will continue with their terrible behaviour. There must be a direct 24/ 7call centre or mobile number which commuters can contact to complain against these auto drivers at any point of the day or night. The calls must be promptly directed to the nearest police station who must be sent to the spot immediately,” says Akshath Kumar, an even management executive.

He feels that if stern action is taken against a few autodrivers it may set a precedent and others will then think twice before harassing commuters.