I was recently involved in an auto accident. It wasn’t my fault, but I still have to deal with the damages, etc.

I was headed into town about 6:55 p.m. on a Monday evening to take photos at the Bainbridge Little Theatre to promote their upcoming show.

As I traveled West on Lake Douglas Road, I suddenly saw an oncoming car that was headed into my lane. Thinking the driver would surely correct his pathway, I watched with horror to realize he was headed straight at me – totally in my lane as if he were targeting me. I headed for the shoulder as quickly as I could and as far as I dared. I almost made it, but then heard the scraping sound as he sideswiped me on the driver’s side. I pulled up a bit and stopped and noticed a person racing toward me. It was a witness who had been riding in the vehicle behind me who saw the whole thing develop.

This person was very helpful, telling me what I should do and together we looked at the damage. It was not too bad. There were scrape marks on the front left fender and also on the back fender. Like I said, I almost got out of his way.

When the driver of the offending vehicle approached us I asked him, “What were you doing?” He replied that he didn’t know, that all of a sudden he looked up and saw where he was. Looked up from what? I wondered.

Well, the police arrived and after they took all the information from the witness and me, we were excused to go. The patrolman was still working with the driver of the other car. I continued on my way to my photo assignment and thanked God that I had observed him in time to escape a more serious wreck with possible injuries.

On the following Thursday I picked up the accident report from Public Safety.

It said that the driver of vehicle one was traveling east and failed to maintain its lane due to distracted driving (Texting). I asked if he had been arrested and was told, “No, he was issued a ticket.”

Is it against the law to text while driving in the State of Georgia?

Gov. Nathan Deal last Wednesday signed House Bill 673 that requires drivers to use hands-free technology when using cell phones and other electronic devices while driving.  The law is set to take effect July 1. It prohibits holding or supporting, with any part of the body, a wireless telecommunications device or stand-alone electronic device. That covers writing, sending or reading any text-based communication, including a text message, instant message, e-mail or Internet data while driving.

It’s about time.