Maniac auto rickshaw drivers in the city: Should I even take my car out

They drive so close to the other vehicles that it's a miracle that they don't scrape one.

BHPian epiccross recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

Okay, a bit of a rant but hear me out.

I lived in Trivandrum for around 1.5 years (2018 mid - 2020), and I've shifted back here again as my wifey's working in Trivandrum now (again). I took autos 6-7 times, and except for one or max two times, all the times they drove their auto like maniacs. They NEVER yielded and only brake literal inches away from the vehicles ahead, they drive it so close to other cars it's a miracle that they haven't scraped one. Forget all this, they even go around very close to the pedestrians who are crossing at zebra crossings, just mind-boggling stuff. Have things deteriorated post-COVID?

I just met with an accident a couple of weeks back and am waiting for my car. Seeing all this is making me wonder - what on earth does one do to stay safe? Is it even worth taking your car out? All this is making me doubly anxious to drive in TVM city.

Here's what BHPian greenhorn had to say about the matter:

I assume you are in the IT belt or city core. I stay in the suburbs, and things are a lot more peaceful.

Personally, my secret is that my daily driver is a beater (2007 Indica) that I am not afraid to get damaged. If you see most people who drive aggressively drive similar beaters. Auto guys can smell fear from looking at the car and the way someone drives. Give them an inch and they'll take a mile. Accept that there are some scratches going to happen. Give yourself permission to give others scratches if the need arises, fit a nice and loud horn, Stop playing defense and channel your inner taxi driver, start gathering battle scars and things become a lot easier for you.

If you still have your Maruti 800 or Beat, bring it out of retirement!

Here's what BHPian DirtyDan had to say about the matter:

In North America, one solution has been to buy a heavy old "junker" of a car. Something 4000 lbs or more, 12-20 years old, rusted out, dented, missing wheel covers, silencer problems, doors and fenders of a different faded color… drive that around and watch them avoid you like the plague.

Here's what BHPian IndieGooner had to say about the matter:

Trivandrum is my hometown and I recently moved back here. I'm driving 80-100 km within city limits most days. Most of the discomfort in driving in this city is people trying to cut you off - mostly 2/3 wheelers but it is not unusual when even larger vehicles attempt such tactics. Two habits I find useful are:

• Use your mirrors - be constantly aware of who is behind and on your sides as there is always someone trying to dart in and cut you off. You can then choose your battles and decide to cede or block if it's an unsafe manoeuvre
• Keep minimal distance with the vehicle in front - I know this is bad advice but you are left with no choice. If you don't keep pace with the car ahead, either you will be cut off or traffic from the opposite lane might encroach.

Always stay calm and avoid any altercation. The situation in Kerala in general is such that you cannot say who is a nutter or goon by their vehicle or appearance. Violent response to petty issues seems to be on the rise.

Here's what BHPian naveen.raju had to say about the matter:

Yes, have to agree on the way that auto is driven there. I consider KL-02 autos the worst followed by KL-01.

But I didn't find driving in Trivandrum that bad when compared to Kochi. You have better-planned city roads and only have 2/3 wheelers. We have the famous private buses to deal with on top of illogically planned roads.

Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.