Latest news with #SkylerMcKinley
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
How to deal with potholes in Colorado
MORRISON, Colo. (KDVR) — A major pothole on eastbound Interstate 70 near the Morrison exit brought traffic to a halt on Friday and left several drivers dealing with unexpected car damage. Denver bar announces final day of business after nearly 30 years The Colorado Department of Transportation said the pothole formed rapidly around 7:30 a.m. during heavy rain. It opened up on a section of bridge deck that's already under construction as part of a larger resurfacing project. 'A large pothole quickly formed in a span of 20 to 30 minutes… CDOT crews immediately responded with lane closures, and contractor crews will work through the afternoon to make sustainable repairs,' the department said in a statement. Two eastbound lanes near the Morrison exit were closed while crews scrambled to patch the damage. By Friday evening, one lane had reopened. Skyler McKinley with AAA said while potholes are a part of life on Colorado roads, this one was unusually disruptive. 'This is a factor of life, we do get bad potholes in Colorado, it's rare that we have a catastrophic one,' McKinley said. 'The catastrophic ones are fixed quickly because everyone's going to be watching this on the news—including the folks in charge of repairing the potholes.' Multiple FOX31 viewers reported damage to their vehicles after hitting the pothole. McKinley said even a brief jolt from a pothole can have lasting impacts, and warns drivers to stay alert for subtle changes in their car's performance. 'Potholes and hitting potholes can cause irreparable suspension damage,' McKinley said. 'So if you notice anything in your vehicle—steering, vibrating, sounds you weren't used to, delayed steering, gumminess, tackiness, anything has changed in your driving experience? In the hours, days, weeks after you hit a pothole, take that to a mechanic as soon as you can.' He added that quick action is key when it comes to insurance claims and repair timelines. 'If you hit a pothole and you know something is wrong, go to your mechanic and call your insurer immediately thereafter,' McKinley said. 'And if you haven't hit a Colorado pothole yet—we get them bad because of the thawing and freezing on our roadway—consider upgrading your insurance.' According to AAA, the average out-of-pocket repair bill for pothole-related damage can top $500, depending on the severity. Over 800 flights delayed amid storms on Friday, 24 canceled CDOT reminds drivers to slow down in work zones and report roadway hazards when possible. The agency said construction on that stretch of I-70 typically takes place overnight, and as of Friday night, one lane is back open. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Axios
22-05-2025
- Axios
"Pack your patience:" Record Memorial Day madness hits Colorado
This summer's travel season is about to take off, with Colorado once again on pace to smash Memorial Day records, AAA Colorado spokesperson Skyler McKinley tells Axios Denver. Why it matters: Coloradans aren't staying home even as economic pessimism persists. By the numbers: Denver International Airport officials say more than 443,000 travelers are expected to pass through security over the long weekend — matching last year's historic surge. Friday and Monday will be particularly packed, with upwards of 80,000 passengers daily. The big picture: More than 45 million Americans are expected to travel at least 50 miles between Thursday and Monday — topping a 20-year record, AAA data shows. The Federal Aviation Administration is preparing for its busiest summer in 15 years. Nearly 54,000 flights are expected to take off nationwide on Thursday alone. An estimated 87% of travelers nationwide — or about 39 million people — are choosing to hit the road this year. Between the lines: More travelers opting to drive could be a sign of lingering distrust in air travel following a recent string of alarming tech and safety lapses at airports nationwide, including DIA. Still, FAA acting administrator Chris Rocheleau insists air travel is "the safest form of transportation in world history." The intrigue: Road trippers in Colorado will catch a break at the pump this year, McKinley tells Axios Denver. Average Colorado gas prices are hovering around $3.58 per gallon, down from $3.71 this time last year. Pro tips: "The further you can get away from the highways when you're filling up your vehicle, the more you will save," McKinley advises. The worst days to drive will be Thursday and Monday, especially on the I-70 corridor, he says. To avoid gridlock, travel early in the day — or better yet, leave Saturday or Sunday.
CBS News
22-05-2025
- Automotive
- CBS News
Colorado average gas price of $3.55/gallon is expected to rise Memorial Day weekend
The busy Memorial Day travel period is ramping up across Colorado, with Thursday being the start of the four-day stretch for the holiday weekend. Millions are expected to hit the road for the unofficial start of summer, and CBS Colorado wants to help you get Road Trip Ready. AAA Colorado says there is good news for drivers filling up on Thursday. Getting as will be cheaper for your wallet than waiting for the weekend. The spike will be around Memorial Day weekend and will last until Labor Day. / Getty Images AAA Colorado said across Colorado, the average price for gas is $3.55 a gallon. A little better than this time last year, when the average price for gas was $3.72/gallon. AAA Colorado says it is better to get gas now than wait because most of their calls come from stranded drivers. These are from drivers who don't put gas in their cars before taking big trips. It is always important to fill up your tank when you hit half a tank. Anything less than that will put wear and tear on your vehicle, especially the engine. Never let your car get down to empty. "It is a problem whenever your vehicle runs out of gas," said Skyler McKinley, AAA Regional Director of Public Affairs. "It is a problem for the thousands of drivers that we have to rescue when they run out of gas. You don't want to wait until the next service station or wait for a better deal. It can do some damage to your fuel pump and cause problems in the lines." Also, AAA says don't drive across town to go to the cheaper gas station. Use the one closest to you. You will still pay around the same amount, if not more. As you hit the road, don't forget the express lane basics. Cross the line and pay the fine. Pay attention to roadway signage warnings of upcoming entrances and exits.
Yahoo
23-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Insurance apps that track your movement reduce risky driving: Study
DENVER (KDVR) — Smartphone apps monitor a driver's behavior on the road, providing valuable information to both the driver and their insurance carrier. A study conducted by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety shows a significant decrease in risky behavior behind the wheel when a driver knows they are being monitored and being notified of how their driving is putting others at risk. Read the full report here. Denver's Juneteenth Music Festival in urgent need of funding for 2025 event Driver habits also affect how much is paid for insurance coverage. 'It was always a gamble whether having this technology on your phone with a promise that it might save a few bucks, actually saves the insurers money or saves you money,' said AAA spokesperson Skyler McKinley. The study showed up to a 13% reduction in speeding, up to a 21% reduction in hard braking and up to a 25% reduction in rapid acceleration. 'That rapid acceleration, especially in an era of electrified vehicles, (it's) most deadly to pedestrians and bicyclists and others on our roadway,' said McKinley. FOX31 talked to drivers who have different opinions on using tracking apps, which are not required but offered on an opt-in basis. While some say the apps present an opportunity to save money, others are more skeptical. 'I don't think it takes into account how well you drive; basically, it's like looking at this base metric,' said one driver. Consumer experts say it is best to be realistic about whether a monitoring app will be beneficial to you. Psilocybin use rising among adults with mental health conditions: Denver Health study 'If you're historically a driver who's going to break the rules and you think it'll charge you more, probably won't charge more than the maximum until something else happens, which is a crash and then you're definitely paying more,' said McKinley. AAA reports that more than 40,000 people die in crashes caused by risky driving each using an insurance app should ask their carrier about privacy policies regarding how results obtained by the app are used and stored. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
10-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Proposed bill preventing officers from asking drivers why they were pulled over dies in committee
DENVER (KDVR) — A proposed bill that would have prohibited officers from asking drivers why they were pulled over died in committee. House Bill 25-1243, 'Peace Officer Questions During Traffic Stop,' was proposed in February and would've prevented peace officers from asking the common question when they pull over a driver: 'Do you know why I pulled you over?' Some argue that the proposed bill that would have required police officers to tell the driver the reason they were pulled over would've protected both officers and drivers. Skyler McKinley with AAA said the bill would have limited the time officers spend on the road while pulling someone over, which helps with safety. The less time spent on the open road, the less likely it is an officer would be hit by an oncoming car. 2 arrested after stolen vehicle spotted in Broomfield: Police Meanwhile, Sen. Faith Winter, a Democrat who co-sponsored the bill, said it would help with officer transparency and build trust, as many of her constituents didn't know that they didn't need to answer that common question. However, the bill was only proposed for two months before it died in committee. During the Judiciary Committee meeting on April 2, Rep. Mandy Lindsay, a co-sponsor of the bill, said the bill stems from roadside safety, and people shouldn't have to jump through 'intellectual hoops' while being pulled over, especially since officers have a vast knowledge of the law, while drivers may not. The discussion about the bill went on for almost two hours, with many representatives asking about the point of the proposed bill, as it didn't have any consequences for the officers if they broke the law. Rep. Cecelia Espenoza said she's struggling with the 'why' as there is no penalty, and she was hesitant as it would be restraining the words of a peace officer without a specific public safety issue other than the anxiety of being pulled over. FOX31 Newsletters: Sign up to get breaking news sent to your inbox Several people agreed with the idea of the bill, but they wanted more 'teeth in it' and punishment. The committee postponed the bill indefinitely in an 8-3 vote. The only representatives voting against the postponement were Lorena Garcia, Elizabeth Velasco and Javier Mabrey. The proposed bill's history said it was postponed 'indefinitely, using a reversal of the previous roll call.' The reverse roll call was used since no one objected. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
