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Hi, I'm Orlando Mergal for Puerto Rico By GPS.
If you're going to be exploring the Island on your own you're probably going to be driving.
So the purpose of this first video is to familiarize you with driving in Puerto Rico.
Driving in Puerto Rico can be a little confusing at first,
regardless if you're coming from the United States, Europe or any place else.
Why?
Because the rest of the world has one measurement system. Puerto Rico has two.
That's right! And we use them both.
In Europe they use the metric system, so everything on the road is measured in kilometers, hectometers and meters.
Speed is expressed in kilometers per hour, weight is measured in kilograms
and all signs are either in metric or international terms.
One important thing to keep in mind is that the metric system is a decimal system.
That means that any measure can be divided into decimal parts to make it smaller and smaller;
for example kilometers, hectometers and meters.
On the other hand, the United States uses the Imperial system,
where distances are measured in miles, weight is measured in pounds and measures are divided into fractions.
The funny thing is that the Imperial system was brought over from England
and even the modern day United Kingdom doesn't use it any more.
South America also uses the metric system; as well as Asia, Africa and Australia.
Speed on Puerto Rican roads is measured in miles per hour.
But distance is measured in kilometers.
Mile markers don't measure miles.
They measure kilometers.
And many signs are in Spanish, although you'll probably figure them out by their shape.
PARE means stop. CEDA means yield. NO ENTRE means do not enter.
And TRÁNSITO means transit.
Many other signs are expressed in international terms.
Roads in Puerto Rico are generally marked at speed limits similar to those in the United States.
That means 55 miles per hour on major roads and expressways,
25 miles per hour in residential areas and 15 miles per hour near schools and parks.
Some toll roads go up to 65 miles per hour in certain areas.
And in case your asking yourself (will I be caught?),
well let's just say that many roads are equipped with cameras and automatic surveillance,
and many patrol cars have the latest laser radar systems.
So save yourself the hassle and stick to the speed limits.
Oh, and one last thing,
in Puerto Rico you drive on the right.
Not on the left like in many European countries and some Caribbean islands.
Roads in Puerto Rico are in pretty good shape,
considering that the Island has been facing tough economic times during the last few years.
At first, the mix of miles and kilometers can be a little confusing,
but after a while you'll feel right at home.
For Puerto Rico by GPS, I'm Orlando Mergal. Thanks for watching.