New Airport Traffic Circle

[SanNic44]

Preparations have been underway to build a new traffic circle at the airport. I'm not sure exactly when the construction will begin, but they've cleared a bunch of land along the existing road and there have been several articles in Diario and Bon Dia. Here's a photo and a diagram of where the circle will be built as well as the detours that will be in effect.

http://bentpage.net/2012/07/19/road-changes-aruba/

If you're planning a visit, be prepared for traffic to be "different."

Bon dia.

44

[thadius65]

Bully shared this with us on our return ride to airport. Seem to think he said Fall timeframe it would be done. I recall that because I said we would be back mid-October.

[skipper]

I don't get circles. I think they are a good excuse for an accident. I guess accidents are down on the island...

[janscaped]

What is the rule-of-the-road for navigating circles in Aruba?
In Massachusetts, cars already in the rotary have the right of way and one must wait for an opening before entering. In NJ, where I have the most experience driving around circles, unless there are yield signs posted, what to do seems to be based on the "custom" of each circle and/or pretty much anything goes....

[Andrea J.]

i grew up in MA and my town had numerous rotaries

the deal is ALWAYS yield to the car that is IN the rotary.

it seems to work well if one is accustomed to it.

the arubans seem to know how to maneuver in them.

but throw in a rotary here in FLA and the mess will hit the fan.

ex: the area in Clearwater Beach Fla where Gulf to Bay Blvd aka rte 60, and Gulf Blvd interesects has a rotary aka roundabout.

when the city of clearwater put in this thing, they spent millions (literally)and put a large fountain in the middle of the roundabout.

well, florida drivers had no clue.
the fountain was a huge distraction and there were many crashes.

the fountain has been now shut off (huge money wasted)

and the rotary is working well.

but it took 10 years.

i think it is really good that the rotaries are working in aruba.

What is the rule-of-the-road for navigating circles in Aruba?
In Massachusetts, cars already in the rotary have the right of way and one must wait for an opening before entering. In NJ, where I have the most experience driving around circles, unless there are yield signs posted, what to do seems to be based on the "custom" of each circle and/or pretty much anything goes....

[Arubalisa]

Laws for "rotaries"/circles must be the same from MA., to NJ to GA to FL to Aruba

Don't know if it works in Aruba, but are you not supposed to also yield right of way if two cars approach the rotary at the same time?

I know here in Georgia it is every man for himself. Better on a rotary than at a 4 way stop

[janscaped]

I had to go and check the NJ rules and had to laugh a couple of times when I read this:

Traffic Circle
There are no set rules for driving into, around and out of a traffic circle in New Jersey. Common sense and caution must prevail at all times. In most cases, the circle’s historically established traffic flow pattern dictates who has the right-ofway. If a major highway flows into and through the circle, it usually dominates the traffic flow pattern and commands the right-of-way. Traffic control signs, such as stop or yield signs, at the entrances to the circle also govern which motorist has the right-of-way. Never enter a traffic circle without checking all signs and determining the intentions of the motorists already moving within the circle.
Whenever a motorist is in doubt concerning who has the right-of-way in a circle, he/she should exercise extreme caution and remember the basic rule governing any uncontrolled intersection: The vehicle to the left yields the right-of-way to the vehicle approaching from the right.

New Jersey Driver Manual www.njmvc.gov

Of course, it's hard to know "the circle's historically established traffic flow pattern" and what to do when you are an infrequent visitor. Guess we'll find out if the MA or NJ-method applies to the circles in Aruba.

Andrea J.: A fountain in the middle of a circle in NJ might make the most densely populated state in the US significantly less so.

[Arubalisa]

I had to go and check the NJ rules and had to laugh a couple of times when I read this:

New Jersey Driver Manual www.njmvc.gov

Of course, it's hard to know "the circle's historically established traffic flow pattern" and what to do when you are an infrequent visitor. Guess we'll find out if the MA or NJ-method applies to the circles in Aruba.

Andrea J.: A fountain in the middle of a circle in NJ might make the most densely populated state in the US significantly less so.

...but somewhat on topic of rotaries...the NJ law is what imo makes it very confusing with those who are unfamiliar with them. I grew up in the Allwood section of Clifton, NJ and we had a "circle" of this type. The main feeder road into the circle was less than a quarter mile from a major state highway used by commuters to Manhattan, 10 miles away. Traffic from the direction of the highway ALWAYS had the right of way. If you were in the circle you stopped for them, otherwise the traffic would back up even further onto the highway during rush hour.

When you consider how many New Jerseyians are on each of those United flights flying daily from Newark to Aruba (see you know there had to be a tie in ), it is easy to see why there would be some very confused drivers on the rotaries in Aruba who feel the need to plow right in.

[MAZOO]

At least the Aruban's drive on the same side of the road as the USA. Been to Bermuda and Ireland., that takes some concentration. Just imagine how the visitors from across the pond feel driving in Aruba.

[Arubalisa]

I am wondering how many Brits rent vehicles in Aruba