How is the driving/traffic there?

lizgizmo · 10-29-2009, 11:58 AM

Is it crazy like in Nassau Bahamas. I would like to rent a car. And the girls are old enough to rent mo-peds but I am always concerned about the drivers.

So on a Scale of 1-10 /10 being extreme- what do you think?

Thanks
Liz

danadog56 · 10-29-2009, 01:12 PM

IMO...driving is very easy,,,right side of the road like here except they use European road signs, so you have to learn them. Usually the rental companies will give you a map and on it they have the road signs and what they mean.
Usually as guests we drive pretty cautiously, but Arubans drive like they are always late to get to their destination...so they are always zipping around you, but other than that I have found no difference...
As for the girls...I have no opinion other than to get there, see what you think before you spend money to rent mopeds...use your judgement...
Have a good time, the island is fantastic...!!!!

*Andrea J.* · 10-29-2009, 03:01 PM

no where near as crazy as nassau/bahamas

you are the mom...........if the girls are still under your "rule" then you call the shots.

my opinion and bear in mind that my son is now in his mid 20s ......................if my son came to me as a teen (17 or 18) and wanted to do moped/scooter......i'd redirect him to something else.

my reasoning for denying him moped access
-sand on roads causing some skidding
-unfamiliar roads
-confused tourists behind the wheel of other vehicles
-our health insurance is NOT VALID in aruba.

that's me.
and as my son would probably say, i was an overbearing helicopter mom when he was in high school.

i am proud of it. my badge of courage!

wildewoman · 10-29-2009, 03:36 PM

We rented a car & drove all over - we got lost a few times & were actually surprised when we looked up & there was Flying Fish bone!!

It was easy - even in town!!

islandj · 11-02-2009, 08:12 AM

Driving is good here, theres not many cars on the road or as packed as Bahamas but we do drive fast. You also need to watch out for the taxis they love to pass slower cars on the other side of the road. As far as mo-peds those are scooters correct? I would say no to those its not a good idea, streets are small and some people just dont look for them on the road. Come on down, relax and go with the flow.

miesk5 · 11-02-2009, 01:36 PM

Also, be wary of the multi-lane intersections on way from airport to Eagle Beach/low rises,such as L.G. Smith Blvd.
Some accidents there when folks are travelling down or up the Blvd & then turn across the Blvd @ an intersection (signal is red now on this cross-street)... . banga alang.. there goes the day...

Be esp. wary of folks walking or biking @ night!

Have a great time!

Jarubian · 11-02-2009, 03:21 PM

As a mom I am with Andrea you call the shots. The island is not even half as bad as Nassau/Bahamas, but I would get here and than decide. Enjoy either way you all will love Aruba.

lizgizmo · 11-02-2009, 04:23 PM

awesome advice --

thank you

peace

Liz

Pattyt · 11-02-2009, 04:29 PM

I found their traffic signal system was kind of confusing at intersections

cindyo · 11-02-2009, 04:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lizgizmo

Is it crazy like in Nassau Bahamas. I would like to rent a car. And the girls are old enough to rent mo-peds but I am always concerned about the drivers.

So on a Scale of 1-10 /10 being extreme- what do you think?

Thanks
Liz

IMOP...nix the mopeds..way to dangerous, aruba is not bermuda..score of 10. There is no way in GOD's green earth you would see my kids on a moped here, there or anywhere. Why screw around, kids don't know the rules of the road on a island. I have 2 teens, and the answer is NO from me.

Driving in aruba is easy. They do have several round a bouts, or rotarys, that are a bit sketchy, just stay aware when entering and you SB fine. Score of 2

10-29-2009, 11:58 AM	#1 (permalink)
lizgizmo Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 7	How is the driving/traffic there? Is it crazy like in Nassau Bahamas. I would like to rent a car. And the girls are old enough to rent mo-peds but I am always concerned about the drivers. So on a Scale of 1-10 /10 being extreme- what do you think? Thanks Liz

10-29-2009, 01:12 PM	#2 (permalink)
danadog56 Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: everywhere and anywhere Posts: 1,178	IMO...driving is very easy,,,right side of the road like here except they use European road signs, so you have to learn them. Usually the rental companies will give you a map and on it they have the road signs and what they mean. Usually as guests we drive pretty cautiously, but Arubans drive like they are always late to get to their destination...so they are always zipping around you, but other than that I have found no difference... As for the girls...I have no opinion other than to get there, see what you think before you spend money to rent mopeds...use your judgement... Have a good time, the island is fantastic...!!!! __________________ too many days to count..feels like forever till we get to go back to paradise....

10-29-2009, 03:36 PM	#4 (permalink)
wildewoman Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 109	We rented a car & drove all over - we got lost a few times & were actually surprised when we looked up & there was Flying Fish bone!! It was easy - even in town!! __________________

11-02-2009, 01:36 PM	#6 (permalink)
miesk5 Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Eagle Beach @ LaC Posts: 53	Also, be wary of the multi-lane intersections on way from airport to Eagle Beach/low rises,such as L.G. Smith Blvd. Some accidents there when folks are travelling down or up the Blvd & then turn across the Blvd @ an intersection (signal is red now on this cross-street)... . banga alang.. there goes the day... Be esp. wary of folks walking or biking @ night! Have a great time! __________________ Thanks to All Who Serve!

11-02-2009, 04:23 PM	#8 (permalink)
lizgizmo Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 7	Thank You! awesome advice -- thank you peace Liz

10-29-2009, 03:01 PM	#3 (permalink)
Andrea J. Aruba since 1979 Moderator Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 4,445 Images: 45	no where near as crazy as nassau/bahamas you are the mom...........if the girls are still under your "rule" then you call the shots. my opinion and bear in mind that my son is now in his mid 20s ......................if my son came to me as a teen (17 or 18) and wanted to do moped/scooter......i'd redirect him to something else. my reasoning for denying him moped access -sand on roads causing some skidding -unfamiliar roads -confused tourists behind the wheel of other vehicles -our health insurance is NOT VALID in aruba. that's me. and as my son would probably say, i was an overbearing helicopter mom when he was in high school. i am proud of it. my badge of courage!

11-02-2009, 08:12 AM	#5 (permalink)
islandj Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 91	Driving is good here, theres not many cars on the road or as packed as Bahamas but we do drive fast. You also need to watch out for the taxis they love to pass slower cars on the other side of the road. As far as mo-peds those are scooters correct? I would say no to those its not a good idea, streets are small and some people just dont look for them on the road. Come on down, relax and go with the flow.

11-02-2009, 03:21 PM	#7 (permalink)
Jarubian Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Renaissance Hotel, Baby Beach Posts: 356 Images: 3	As a mom I am with Andrea you call the shots. The island is not even half as bad as Nassau/Bahamas, but I would get here and than decide. Enjoy either way you all will love Aruba.

11-02-2009, 04:29 PM	#9 (permalink)
Pattyt Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 9	I found their traffic signal system was kind of confusing at intersections