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a8 local
Wednesday 27 March 2024

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Basic driving rules on Aruba (part 1)

(Oranjestad)—Have you ever felt about to make your exit. A good
confused when you’re driving on rule of thumb is to count the exits
the highways or backstreets of starting from your right side. So,
Aruba? Then we present a simple exit 1 would be on your right; exit
guide to some of the basic rules of 2 would be straight ahead; exit 3
Aruban traffic, along with some tips would be on your far left and exit 4
for things to look out for. would lead to the road paralleled
to the one you’re on, heading in
Speed limit the other direction.
Legally, the speed limit on the
four-lane highways is 80 km/h. This Most roundabouts have these 4
speed limit also counts for the main exits, so they are relatively simple.
roads that are connected to the When you’re driving on the four-
highways. The minimum speed is lane highway, it is important to
50 km/h. Most people drive around know when to switch to the left
60 km/h on the main roads and lane to make your exit: if your exit Boulevard is one of the trickier When you’re driving away from the
about 70 km/h on the highways. is on your far left (exit 3), then you roundabouts that could—and airport reaching the roundabout,
There are also areas that indicate need to switch to the left lane on has—caused confused among you’ll be faced with three lanes.
a speed limit on a sign; these are the high way before nearing the both tourists and locals. However, The far right lane is to take the exit
usually around populated and roundabout so you can take the once you take a good look at it, 1 out heading east (right lane of
school areas. path that leads you directly to your it’s fairly simple. The basis is just the highway). The middle exit is used
exit. If your exit is on your right or same as a regular roundabout (left for exit 1 (left lane of highway), 2
The four-lane highways contain the if you’re going straight ahead, you exit? left lane! etc.), but instead of and 3. The far left exit is used to
left-lane, also known as the “fast” can keep driving in the right lane having four different exits like on a only exit on exit 3 (left lane of high-
lane for each direction. Here is of the highway. regular roundabout, now you have way) and 4.
where vehicles can drive up to the two extra; one on the right and the
maximum speed. However, legally It’s also important to know that other on the left side of the round- “Las Americas” roundabout
it is not permitted to drive for long vehicles about to enter the round- about. The rules don’t change at The Las Americas roundabout is
periods of time on the left lane. This about must yield to those already all, you just have to keep an extra located near the Talk of the Town
lane is primarily designed for driv- on it. A good rule of thumb is to eye open. hotel, west from the airport round-
ers to switch lanes before a round- look out if someone is coming from about. This roundabout may look
about, for example, if your exit your left side. Airport roundabout like a regular roundabout—and for
on the roundabout is on your far Ah, yes. The infamous airport the most part, it is. However, when
left. The general lane to drive in— However, other roundabouts can roundabout. The favorite round- you are driving from the east go-
both at maximum and minimum be quite tricky to navigate… about amongst local, because ing in the direction of town, please
speed—is on the right lane. of its easy (hard) lanes that never take note that there are two exits
Watty Vos Boulevard (the (always) cause confusion among on your right.
Roundabouts “paperclip” roundabout) drivers. Sarcasm aside, this round-
Speaking of roundabouts, it is im- Probably the biggest roundabout about can be tricky to enter, espe- When you’re driving towards this
portant to know where you have on the island, the “paperclip” cially when you’re driving from the roundabout, you’ll notice that the
to enter and drive on the round- roundabout on the Watty Vos direction of the airport heading. 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 traffic may look
and work differently, but once
you get it right once, you’ll get the
hang of it in no time. Additionally,
all roundabouts and roads on Aru-
ba 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