Page 18 - AHATA

Thursday 22 February 2024 LOCAL
A10

Did you know about...
Basic driving rules on Aruba (part 2)

on the main road in Sava- even the one on your right.
neta going to San Nicolas,
you are driving on a single However, be careful not to
long road, and other cars confuse this sign with a simi-
that want to get on this lar up-side down triangle,
main road or cross it, either also found on intersections.
from an intersection or from This sign is a prohibition sign,
a dirt road, must all wait un- telling you that you have to
til traffic on the main road stop and give other cars
kom sings are rectangular is clear. In other words, you priority. Of course you also
(Oranjestad)—In Yester- circular traffic sign with red and blue, and essentially do not have to stop for have a “stop” sign that
day’s issue, we’ve provid- border and the number 50 tell you that you are in a them. This sign too has a mean the same thing. The
ed some basic rules when on it. Signs like these are al- heavily inhabited area. The counter part that indicates stop sign is generally used
driving on the four-lane ways paired by a similar sign maximum speed limit in a that your priority is over. for tricky intersections with
highways and roundabouts with the number crossed bebouwde kom is 50 km/h. minimal view of opposite
on the island. Today, we out further down the road. Just like the previous pair, Another priority sign you incoming traffic.
want to offer you more tips This means that the man- bebouwde kom signs are may encounter is a triangle
and tricks when it comes date for this speed is now also paired with a similar sign with a red border and These are some of the ba-
to driving on the roads and over; you may increase sign crossed out. something that looks like a sic rules that you would
highways of Aruba. your velocity. Red borders cross. You’ll see this sign in have to know if you decide
on traffic sign—whether it’s Priority signs an intersection. The gen- to drive on the island. These
Speed limit in certain areas a circle or triangle—usually On the main roads of Aru- eral rule of thumb for cross- are of course other traffic
As mentioned in yester- signal a warning, prohibi- ba (not the highways), you ing an intersection that do signs, and we recommend
day’s issue, the legal mini- tion or preference. may see a yellow, squared not contain traffic lights, you visit aruba-travelguide.
mum and maximum speed sign with a white border. roundabouts, sign or arrows com for an extensive over-
limit on the island is 50 and Besides the “50” sign, you This sign tells you that on on the road, is to always view of all traffic signs used
80 km/h respectively. How- may also encounter a traf- this road, you have priority yield for traffic on your right. on Aruba.
ever, there are some areas fic sign that says “bebou- and all other traffic should However, if you encounter
where it is mandated to wde kom”. These can be yield to you. This sign can this sign on your side of the Picture credits: aruba-trav-
drive up to a certain speed. found in San Nicolas and be seen in Savaneta for ex- intersection, you have pri- elguide.com
This is always indicated by a Oranjestad. Bebouwde ample. So, if you are driving ority over the other cars,

Helpful tips for your stay on Aruba

(Oranjestad)—When traveling to another coun- prongs; type B with two flat and one grounding five passengers, but this may vary depending
try, especially for the first time, it is always better prong, and on occasion, type F with two round on the vehicle. Taxis are pretty much always
to be over-prepared than under-prepared. That prong and two earth clips on the side. How- available and you can ever hire one for $45 an
is why we have a list of basic—but important— ever, Type A is most commonly found in homes hour.
information that we think may come in handy to and establishments. Safety
Aruba’s visitors. Aruba is one of the safest islands in the Caribbe-
Drinking water an, and many tourist that visit have often told us
Emergency services The water that flows through the sinks of every how they feel safe to explore the island or walk
Even though most people don’t even want to house, hotels and other establishments is dis- around at night. However, rare incidents do oc-
think about having to contact emergency ser- tilled and perfectly safe to drink. Aruba’s drink- curs, so keep yourself and your belongings safe.
vices—especially not while on their vacation, it ing water exceeds WHO’s international stan-
is still important to know what number to dial in dards for water quality, so there is no need to
case of the unlikely event of an accident or se- buy bottled water from the store.
vere incident.
Supermarket hours
Police: 100 Supermarket hours may vary depending on
Police Tipline: 11141 where you are staying on the island. Generally
Ambulance: 911 though, most supermarkets are open from 8am
Fire Dept: 115 to 9 or 10pm, Monday through Saturday. On
Oranjestad: HOH hospital: +297-527-4000 Sundays, supermarkets generally close earlier;
San Nicolas: ImSan: +297-527-8833 mostly around 2pm.

Electrical power Taxis
Aruba generally operates on 110V to 127V sup- Prices for taxi fair are set by the Department
ply voltage and 60Hz. There are also three types of Public Traffic and are based on destination
of outlets used on the island: type A with two flat rather than mileage. Most taxis can take up to