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Tuesday 19 december 2023 locAl
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Basic driving rules on Aruba (part 1)

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

Most roundabouts have
these 4 exits, so they are rel-
atively simple. When you’re
driving on the four-lane
highway, it is important to
know when to switch to