The acceptance by a person of the rights and privileges conferred upon him or her by Titles 19 and 23, as evidenced by his or her operating, or causing to be operated, a motor vehicle in this State shall be deemed equivalent to an appointment by such person of the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles, or his or her successor in office, to be his or her true and lawful attorney upon whom may be served all lawful processes in any action or proceeding against such person or his or her estate if he or she is deceased at the time when the suit is brought, growing out of any accident or collision in which such person may be involved while operating or causing to be operated a motor vehicle in this State. Such acceptance shall be deemed to be the agreement of such person that any process against him or her which is so served upon the Commissioner shall be of the same legal force and validity as if served on the person personally. (Amended 1969, No. 88, § 1, eff. April 18, 1969.)