Auto-Rickshaws in India
It's a Type of Taxi!
To the inexperienced it may appear that auto-rickshaws are driven by committed lunatics who have obviously escaped en masse. They regularly disobey traffic rules, occasionally drive on the wrong side of the road against oncoming traffic, go the wrong way around roundabouts, and drive without lights at night and a whole host of more or lesser sins. To the seasoned auto-rickshaw taker its all in a days work however a journey around an Indian city can either be very risky or relatively safe.
The Mad Max Auto Journey
Thrill seekers should try and hail one of the younger drivers particularly if the words supercharged are blazoned across the flank or rear of the rickshaw. Another clue to the potential danger factor of the forthcoming journey is loud music emanating from specially mounted speakers on the back seats, designed it seems to perforate any passengers eardrum.
Be aware that by taking this type of journey you are literally transported into another world of James Bond theme tunes, while the driver snakes, at high speed (~40 kph) with near millimetre precision, through much larger and heavier vehicles. The sight of a lorry wheel literally a few centimetres from your face can be a life changing experience. The chances are that despite several apparent near misses and a few violent swerves, which rearange the internal organs, you will arrive at your destination.
However for safety reasons this article points out that there is a large element of personal risk, in this type of journey especially if the driver is encouraged to drive recklessly via laughing or cheering from the backseat (speaking from personal experience after hitting a wandering bullock at 30 kph on my maiden Indian rickshaw drive many years ago).
The “Safe” Auto Journey
The slightly less mad should choose an older gentleman for a slightly less thrilling ride. In both cases agree the price before getting into the Rickshaw. Find out the cost of the journey from a local first. Expect to pay up to 50% more than this, but not three times the fare. By not agreeing a price before the journey you are inviting a potentially unpleasant shock. Foreigners are easy targets for auto-drivers. Be aware of scams particularly those that involve unrequested visits to shops. Auto-drivers are often paid to take foreigners to various handicraft type shops by the unscrupulous owners and will take a convulated route to achieve this end.
Life is a ride. Take an auto-rickshaw in India if you dare!
An Indian Auto
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