Pittsburgh Penguins star Sidney Crosby caused a brief stir when he walked into a Pittsburgh-area DMV on Friday.
The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported that Crosby went in to renew his license but did not have to wait in a long line like many of the other patrons. He benefited from a state DMV policy that allows celebrities to jump to the front of the line to avoid chaos.
A spokeswoman for the motor vehicles department said that celebrities can be ushered to the front of the line if supervisors determine that it would help in “keeping control and keeping disruptions to a minimum.”
Celebrities can have their agents arrange an appointment with the Pennsylvania DMV and have a local office manager promptly assist them.
“I think, with his popularity, he’s going to get inundated and it’s going to be totally disruptive if he’s not taken,” said 52-year-old Paula Miles. “I’d rather have that than have a mob scene.”
But not all DMV customers like the preferential treatment celebrities get.
“I disapprove,” said 46-year-old Susan Campbell, who waited in line twice during an hour-and-a-half visit. “He should have to sit and wait with everyone else.”
Campbell’s 22-year-old daughter, Stephanie, admitted that a celebrity appearance could cause an overwhelming situation.
“If I knew he was going to be there, I’d be down there in five seconds,” she said.
Others are not so impressed with the presence of a celebrity.
Sixteen-year-old Jacob Davis passed his driving test and got his license Friday.
“He’s another person like everyone else,” he said.
His mother, Sherry Davis, agreed.
“He probably should have waited,” she said.
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James Neal would never.
