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local Wednesday 2 august 2023

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Basic driving rules on Aruba (part 1)

(Oranjestad)—Have you
ever felt confused when
you’re driving on the high-
ways or backstreets of
Aruba? Then we present a
simple guide to some of the
basic rules of Aruban traf-
fic, along with some tips for
things to look out for.

Speed limit
Legally, the speed limit on
the four-lane highways is
80 km/h. This speed limit
also counts for the main
roads that are connected
to the highways. The mini-
mum speed is 50 km/h.
Most people drive around
60 km/h on the main roads
and about 70 km/h on the
highways. There are also ar-
eas that indicate a speed
limit on a sign; these are
usually around populated
and school areas.
the left lane to make your an extra eye open. on exit 3 (left lane of high-
The four-lane highways exit: if your exit is on your far Watty Vos Boulevard (the way) and 4.
contain the left-lane, also left (exit 3), then you need “paperclip” roundabout) Airport roundabout
known as the “fast” lane to switch to the left lane Probably the biggest Ah, yes. The infamous air- “Las Americas” roundabout
for each direction. Here is on the high way before roundabout on the island, port roundabout. The fa- The Las Americas round-
where vehicles can drive nearing the roundabout the “paperclip” round- vorite roundabout amongst about is located near the
up to the maximum speed. so you can take the path about on the Watty Vos local, because of its easy Talk of the Town hotel, west
However, legally it is not that leads you directly to Boulevard is one of the (hard) lanes that never from the airport round-
permitted to drive for long your exit. If your exit is on trickier roundabouts that (always) cause confusion about. This roundabout
periods of time on the left your right or if you’re going could—and has—caused among drivers. Sarcasm may look like a regular
lane. This lane is primar- straight ahead, you can confused among both aside, this roundabout can roundabout—and for the
ily designed for drivers keep driving in the right tourists and locals. Howev- be tricky to enter, especial- most part, it is. However,
to switch lanes before a lane of the highway. er, once you take a good ly when you’re driving from when you are driving from
roundabout, for example, look at it, it’s fairly simple. the direction of the airport the east going in the direc-
if your exit on the round- It’s also important to know The basis is just the same as heading. When you’re driv- tion of town, please take
about is on your far left. that vehicles about to en- a regular roundabout (left ing away from the airport note that there are two ex-
The general lane to drive ter the roundabout must exit? left lane! etc.), but reaching the roundabout, its on your right.
in—both at maximum and yield to those already on it. instead of having four dif- you’ll be faced with three
minimum speed—is on the A good rule of thumb is to ferent exits like on a regu- lanes. The far right lane is When you’re driving to-
right lane. look out if someone is com- lar roundabout, now you to take the exit 1 out head- wards this roundabout,
ing from your left side. have two extra; one on the ing east (right lane of high- you’ll notice that the road
Roundabouts right and the other on the way). The middle exit is becomes wider, splitting
Speaking of roundabouts, it However, other round- left side of the roundabout. used for exit 1 (left lane of into two lanes. The right
is important to know where abouts can be quite tricky The rules don’t change at highway), 2 and 3. The far lane is used to take the
you have to enter and to navigate… all, you just have to keep left exit is used to only exit first and second exit on
drive on the roundabout to the right. If you want to exit
make your exit. A good rule straight ahead, you must
of thumb is to count the ex- drive on the left lane!
its starting from your right
side. So, exit 1 would be It’s always scary to drive in
on your right; exit 2 would new places where the traf-
be straight ahead; exit 3 fic may look and work dif-
would be on your far left ferently, but once you get
and exit 4 would lead to it right once, you’ll get the
the road paralleled to the hang of it in no time. Ad-
one you’re on, heading in ditionally, all roundabouts
the other direction. and roads on Aruba have
signs and arrows painted
Most roundabouts have on the road to help guide
these 4 exits, so they are rel- you. So take your time,
atively simple. When you’re keep your eyes open and
driving on the four-lane don’t forget to wear a seat
highway, it is important to belt! q
know when to switch to