Clubs, knives, guns and now acid are being used to attack taxi drivers in growing and more violent attempts to rob them of their money.

Concerned cabbies yesterday told The Royal Gazette they are avoiding "bad areas'' in fear of picking up or being flagged down by would-be robbers.

One driver, who did not want to be named, said Ord Road, Crawl Hill, Back of Town and Camp Hill were the "worst neighbourhoods'' to pick up fares in.

The cabbies were incensed at the this week's acid attack on a 55-year-old taxi driver by three young men he picked up at Bailey's Bay. Mr. Quinton Eldon Binns said the incident almost caused him to lose his eyesight.

The taxi drivers called for stiffer penalties for fare dodgers and those convicted of attacking cabbies.

And they called on the community to show more support for them by coming forward to assist the Police to find the culprits.

Some taxi drivers called for the law to be changed to allow them to choose who they pick up and to better protect themselves.

If not, they warned the Island would soon see "New York-style'' cabs with glass windows separating the driver from passengers.

Recalling the acid attack on him last Sunday, veteran cab driver Mr. Binns said the "wicked'' culprits "don't deserve any mercy''.

"I had no reason not to take them,'' he said. "They paid for their fare when I dropped them off (near Old Road). "It's when they received their change that it all exploded. All I remember is instant pain and screaming.'' Mr. Binns accelerated despite his injuries and radioed for help when the other two young men got out.

He said he will go back on the road, but will be "very cautious''.

He added: "Most of the time its black guys in black neighbourhoods whom we (taxi drivers) hear about doing this sort of thing.'' Mr. Binns pleaded: "If the public know who these guys are, turn them in. I am sure someone knows who they are. The community must start coming forward and identifying people they know who dodge fares and attack us.

"I'd hate to see us have to put up glass windows. That's not the Bermudian way. It's New York-style. Bermudian cabbies are touch, sit and talk people.'' Mr. Binns also thanked Mr. Andre Harvey for saving his eyesight by stopping and finding a hose at a nearby house to wash off the substance.

Other attacks on taxi drivers reported this year included the attempted armed-robberies of a 51-year-female driver and of an elderly male taxi driver.

Earlier this year Edward Fox, 26, was imprisoned after he admitted threatening to break a 61-year-old taxi driver's neck if he did not hand over his money.

Mr. Cal Jones, who has been driving taxi for 20 years, said he is now "more careful and choosy about jobs''.

"It hard for the innocent, but they will have to suffer for the guilty,'' he said. "The courts are not tough enough on taxi offenders. They should set an example and punish offenders seriously enough so they won't do it again.'' Mr. Ronald (Froggie) Simmons said: "Taxi drivers don't stop any more in certain areas. It's unfair on the innocent, but we have no choice. The law says we can't carry anything in our cars to protect ourselves. Years ago you could pick up anyone, anytime, anywhere.'' But he said many drivers now carry weapons in case of attacks.

SEVERE BURN -- Taxi driver Mr. Quinton Binns barely escaped with his eyesight intact after three youths threw what is believed to have been acid in his face last Sunday.