The Department of Transportation’s Courtesy Patrol program has helped motorists in New Mexico for the last 24 years. But the program received some national attention recently by helping a famous actor.

Oliver Hudson was in Albuquerque filming the hit TV show, “The Cleaning Lady,” when he ran out of gas on the way to the set, according to a KRQE report.. Hudson told the CBS Show “The Talk” that after running out of the gas, he was on the shoulder of the freeway when someone approached him and offered assistance.

“I run out of gas on the freeway, over on the shoulder but then an interesting thing happened,” Hudson said as reported by KRQE. “I ran out of gas and someone comes and I ask, 'Who are you?' He goes, 'one second’, [and] puts gas in my car and leaves.”

Hudson’s assistance came from the DOT’s Courtesy Patrol program, a free roadside service that has helped thousands in the metro area. The giant yellow trucks can be seen helping stranded vehicles along 1-25 and 1-40.

“So, on an average day, we could do anywhere from around 20 to 50 motorists a day,” Victor Martinez, a supervisor with Courtesy Patrol told KRQE. “A week it’s anywhere from 80 to 300. Monthly it could average from five to 800 motorists.”

The needs vary from being disabled or an accident. “It could even be a piece of debris we get a lot of debris accidents out here,” Martinez said.

Most of the calls are the result of flat tires and other minor car issues. They also help divert traffic and assist law enforcement and first responders. It can be a dangerous job.

“I’m going write a book about this courtesy patrol because it’s so awesome,” Martinez said. “I mean, it’s dangerous, but it’s awesome helping motorists.”