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local Thursday 17 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 exit: if your exit is on your far just have to keep an extra used for exit 1 (left lane of you’ll notice that the road
limit on a sign; these are left (exit 3), then you need eye open. highway), 2 and 3. The far becomes wider, splitting
usually around populated to switch to the left lane left exit is used to only exit into two lanes. The right
and school areas. on the high way before Airport roundabout on exit 3 (left lane of high- lane is used to take the
nearing the roundabout Ah, yes. The infamous air- way) and 4. first and second exit on
The four-lane highways so you can take the path port roundabout. The fa- the right. If you want to exit
contain the left-lane, also that leads you directly to vorite roundabout amongst “Las Americas” roundabout straight ahead, you must
known as the “fast” lane your exit. If your exit is on local, because of its easy The Las Americas round- drive on the left lane!
for each direction. Here is your right or if you’re going (hard) lanes that never about is located near the
where vehicles can drive straight ahead, you can (always) cause confusion Talk of the Town hotel, west It’s always scary to drive in
up to the maximum speed. keep driving in the right among drivers. Sarcasm from the airport round- new places where the traf-
However, legally it is not lane of the highway. aside, this roundabout can about. This roundabout fic may look and work dif-
permitted to drive for long be tricky to enter, especial- may look like a regular ferently, but once you get
periods of time on the left It’s also important to know ly when you’re driving from roundabout—and for the it right once, you’ll get the
lane. This lane is primar- that vehicles about to en- the direction of the airport most part, it is. However, hang of it in no time. Ad-
ily designed for drivers ter the roundabout must heading. When you’re driv- when you are driving from ditionally, all roundabouts
to switch lanes before a yield to those already on it. ing away from the airport the east going in the direc- and roads on Aruba have
roundabout, for example, A good rule of thumb is to reaching the roundabout, tion of town, please take signs and arrows painted
if your exit on the round- look out if someone is com- you’ll be faced with three note that there are two ex- on the road to help guide
about is on your far left. ing from your left side. lanes. The far right lane is its on your right. you. So take your time,
The general lane to drive to take the exit 1 out head- keep your eyes open and
in—both at maximum and However, other round- ing east (right lane of high- When you’re driving to- don’t forget to wear a seat
minimum speed—is on the abouts can be quite tricky way). The middle exit is wards this roundabout, belt! q
right lane. to navigate…

Roundabouts Watty Vos Boulevard (the
Speaking of roundabouts, it “paperclip” roundabout)
is important to know where Probably the biggest round-
you have to enter and about on the island, the
drive on the roundabout to “paperclip” roundabout
make your exit. A good rule on the Watty Vos Boule-
of thumb is to count the ex- vard is one of the trickier
its starting from your right roundabouts that could—
side. So, exit 1 would be and has—caused con-
on your right; exit 2 would fused among both tourists
be straight ahead; exit 3 and locals. However, once
would be on your far left you take a good look at it,
and exit 4 would lead to it’s fairly simple. The basis
the road paralleled to the is just the same as a regu-
one you’re on, heading in lar roundabout (left exit?
the other direction. left lane! etc.), but instead
Most roundabouts have of having four different ex-
these 4 exits, so they are rel- its like on a regular round-
atively simple. When you’re about, now you have two
driving on the four-lane extra; one on the right and
highway, it is important to the other on the left side of
know when to switch to the roundabout. The rules
the left lane to make your don’t change at all, you