A car is super handy to discover the beautiful Curaçao! Because walking or cycling is unfortunately not very safe? Let alone in the evening. But luckily one renting a car is easy to arrange and you can hit the road in no time! There are only a few things (practically a whole laundry list) that you have to take into account, because driving here is slightly different than in the Netherlands, surprise, surprise!
To start with the fact that you have to take into account drivers who simply get into the car under the influence of alcohol and / or drugs. This happens a lot at night, but also during the day! As a result, car accidents are almost self-evident and no one is surprised anymore. An advantage; the crash barriers are used optimally and the cars that drive here are mainly cars that are imported from the Netherlands, because they simply no longer pass the MOT. So it's not all that close here.
In addition, the landscape here is very different and the roads are certainly not what you are used to. Avoiding potholes and bumps in the road has almost developed as a talent, just like driving at night. Because missing a rear lamp or using lamps at all is a thing. Have to admit that I myself am not always the best, since my high beam is also regularly on. But yes, better that than see nothing at all.
Other than that it's all pretty much the same. The speed cameras just don't work and the roundabouts have only been implemented since 2010 and the majority of the population has no idea how they work. In addition, you have a special traffic light where you can turn and overtaking on the right is the most normal thing in the world. But watch out, they can't merge here.. Driving is also difficult?
I think that if I have survived driving here, I could use another car lesson or 2 in the Netherlands, because if I were to drive there if that is allowed here? Then we probably have a real problem.
Aye!
