to better protect taxi drivers from the growing threat of robbery and violence.

But the only concrete idea they came up with was a suggestion that all drivers turn their inside car lights on when passengers get in and out, in order to get a good look at them.

"There was nothing more we could come up with,'' BTOU spokesman Mr. Lee Tucker said. "It is against the law for taxi drivers to carry weapons and we would not advise it. It's up to Government and the Police to help now.'' Mr. Tucker said the courts must hand down harsher penalties to taxi offenders, especially to fare dodgers whom he said were merely getting probation and suspended sentences.

He said a couple of taxi drivers' suggestions had been "laughed at'' by Transport Minister the Hon. Ralph Marshall in past meetings. The suggestions included introducing pre-paid fares for long rides and having passengers present identification before getting into taxis.

"We are getting tremendous abuse out there,'' he said. "Every week there is at least one incident which does not reach the public's ears and there are a lot of women drivers out on the roads now because of the hard times and I really feel for them.'' Mr.Tucker and BTOU president Mr. Custerfield Crockwell said they were both against cabbies carrying weapons in their taxis but were with them in avoiding certain areas at night.

"I have no intention of picking anyone up after dark unless I recognise them,'' said Mr. Tucker. And he said if he was called to an address and did not like the person he had to pick up, he would simply drive away.