Page 13 - AHATA

Friday 24 OctOber 2025 locAl
A10

Basic driving rules on Aruba: Roundabouts

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