Certainly drivers have to be able to protect themselves from preying passengers, especially those who might slit your throat. Yet giving drivers permission not to pick up passengers or to refuse someone who is "acting suspiciously'' could result in the segregation situation which exists in New York City where it is virtually impossible for a black person to get a cab.

Yet if we do not allow drivers the choice it could result in cabs operating in daylight hours only as some of them do right now.

We are not sure that arming drivers with dye spray as has been suggested is an answer. A driver's use of the legal spray might well provoke a difficult passenger to violence against the driver who would have little protection other than a spray can.

Certainly drivers should be allowed to ask for identification and even to see a fare's cash in advance if they are suspicious. We agree that drivers should not be asked to make change for bills over $20.

It seems that no one, including the drivers, wants to see safety barriers erected between the driver and the passengers. That sends a frightening message to visitors and it is very unfriendly. It also isolates Bermuda's ambassadors from their fares.

Bermuda must have a primary concern to protect Bermudians from injury.

Sometimes crime in Bermuda goes in cycles and it may be that the recent alarming attacks on drivers will cease and we should be careful not to react too strongly to an aberration. Yet we have as primary concern to protect Bermudians from injury.

We should start by remembering that taxis are public transportation and a public service. We already have a bus system which is not geared for public convenience. If taxis also become a problem for the public either because they are hard to obtain or too expensive to use then we will need a third alternative. We already have a great many private car "gypsy cabs'' on the road which are illegal but condoned.

Very often today it is difficult to get a taxi which can lead to all sorts of chaos from visitors missing their air flights to murder. Forget the danger factor for a moment. It is especially difficult at the ends of the Island and that is unfair. By law taxis are supposed to be on the roads the majority of the day to serve the public yet many are not because owner-drivers are reluctant to allow a second driver to use their car. Certainly taxis should be clean and decent but they are, after all, taxis to transport people and not trophies.

A good deal of the public's problem seems to originate in inefficiency at Radio Cabs, 295-4141. Too often a caller is left on hold. If you do get through, the operator is in a great hurry, often failing to take directions for the location of the fare. Then, far too often, no taxi arrives. And if you fail to say Good Morning or Good Afternoon you will never get a cab. Remember, cabs are a public service.