Page 15 - AHATA

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LOCAL Monday 28 July 2025
Basic driving rules on Aruba: Roundabouts

(Oranjestad)—Have you Roundabouts
ever felt confused when Speaking of roundabouts, it
you’re driving on the high- is important to know where
ways or backstreets of you have to enter and
Aruba? Then we present a drive on the roundabout to
simple guide to some of the make your exit. A good rule
basic rules of Aruban traf- of thumb is to count the ex-
fic, along with some tips for its starting from your right
things to look out for. side. So, exit 1 would be
on your right; exit 2 would
Speed limit be straight ahead; exit 3
Legally, the speed limit on would be on your far left
the four-lane highways is and exit 4 would lead to
80 km/h. This speed limit the road paralleled to the
also counts for the main one you’re on, heading in
roads that are connected the other direction.
to the highways. The mini-
mum speed is 50 km/h. Most roundabouts have
Most people drive around these 4 exits, so they are rel-
60 km/h on the main roads atively simple. When you’re
and about 70 km/h on the driving on the four-lane
highways. There are also ar- highway, it is important to
eas that indicate a speed know when to switch to
limit on a sign; these are the left lane to make your
usually around populated exit: if your exit is on your far to navigate… the roundabout. The rules ing east (right lane of high-
and school areas. left (exit 3), then you need don’t change at all, you way). The middle exit is
to switch to the left lane Watty Vos Boulevard (the just have to keep an extra used for exit 1 (left lane of
The four-lane highways on the high way before “paperclip” roundabout) eye open. highway), 2 and 3. The far
contain the left-lane, also nearing the roundabout Probably the biggest round- left exit is used to only exit
known as the “fast” lane so you can take the path about on the island, the Airport roundabout on exit 3 (left lane of high-
for each direction. Here is that leads you directly to “paperclip” roundabout Ah, yes. The infamous air- way) and 4.
where vehicles can drive your exit. If your exit is on on the Watty Vos Boule- port roundabout. The fa-
up to the maximum speed. your right or if you’re going vard is one of the trickier vorite roundabout amongst “Las Americas”
However, legally it is not straight ahead, you can roundabouts that could— local, because of its easy roundabout
permitted to drive for long keep driving in the right and has—caused con- (hard) lanes that never The Las Americas round-
periods of time on the left lane of the highway. fused among both tourists (always) cause confusion about is located near the
lane. This lane is primar- and locals. However, once among drivers. Sarcasm Talk of the Town hotel, west
ily designed for drivers It’s also important to know you take a good look at it, aside, this roundabout can from the airport round-
to switch lanes before a that vehicles about to en- it’s fairly simple. The basis be tricky to enter, especial- about. This roundabout
roundabout, for example, ter the roundabout must is just the same as a regu- ly when you’re driving from may look like a regular
if your exit on the round- yield to those already on it. lar roundabout (left exit? the direction of the airport roundabout—and for the
about is on your far left. A good rule of thumb is to left lane! etc.), but instead heading. When you’re driv- most part, it is. However,
The general lane to drive look out if someone is com- of having four different ex- ing away from the airport when you are driving from
in—both at maximum and ing from your left side. its like on a regular round- reaching the roundabout, the east going in the direc-
minimum speed—is on the about, now you have two you’ll be faced with three tion of town, please take
right lane. However, other round- extra; one on the right and lanes. The far right lane is note that there are two ex-
abouts can be quite tricky the other on the left side of to take the exit 1 out head- its on your right.

When you’re driving to-
wards this roundabout,
you’ll notice that the road
becomes wider, splitting
into two lanes. The right
lane is used to take the
first and second exit on
the right. If you want to exit
straight ahead, you must
drive on the left lane!

It’s always scary to drive in
new places where the traf-
fic may look and work dif-
ferently, but once you get
it right once, you’ll get the
hang of it in no time. Ad-
ditionally, all roundabouts
and roads on Aruba have
signs and arrows painted
on the road to help guide
you. So take your time,
keep your eyes open and
don’t forget to wear a seat
belt! q