Bus driver apologizes for traffic violation during A2 tunnel opening

The opening of the Willem-Alexander tunnel on the A2 underneath Maastricht was marred by a photo of the bus driver using his smartphone while making the first official trip through the tunnel, transporting a number of dignitaries including Minister Melanie Schultz van Haegen. The driver and bus company apologized, the Telegraaf reports.

Bus company Munckhof called the incident "unacceptable". "In his enthusiasm, our driver filmed the opening trip." the company said. "We regret this very much."

Using a smartphone while driving is illegal in the Netherlands. And according to the Association of Insurers, it is also likely the number one cause for the increase in the number of collisions. The number of collisions increased by 6.5 percent to 841 thousand in 2015 compared to 2014.

Chauffeur in overtreding naast verkeersminister - die smartphone uit verkeer wil bannen - bij opening A2-tunnel https://t.co/pHbkAmBCrw pic.twitter.com/6wMN8R5Ra3

— Pieter Hotse Smit (@pieterhotsesmit) December 16, 2016