Cabby assaults: Punish culprits, but 'no need for safety screens'

[Battle Mech]

Cabby assaults: Punish culprits, but 'no need for safety screens'

Published on Sep 20, 2012

Mr Gui said he was kicked in the face by a passenger last week. The National Taxi Association is helping him to apply for hardship grants to tide him over. -- PHOTO: STOMP

By Lim Yan Liang

While three cabbies have been assaulted in the past week, people linked to the industry said they are confident the authorities can curb such acts. They also said preventive measures like screens to separate the driver and passenger are not needed.

Taxi firms noted, too, that their cabs come with buttons to activate in case of an emergency.

They were responding to queries from The Straits Times on a statement from the National Taxi Association (NTA) on Wednesday, which expressed dismay at the recent assault incidents and urged the authorities to take stern action against those responsible for the attacks, as well as fare cheats.

Said Ang Mo Kio GRC MP and NTA adviser Ang Hin Kee in the statement: "While these are isolated cases, we strongly urge the relevant authorities like the Land Transport Authority and Traffic Police to take stern actions, including prosecution, to send a message of strong deterrence that such irresponsible action does not pay."

Read the full report in The New Paper on Thursday (Sept 20).