Excerpts from Press Release - Drivers Beware: Ambrose-Searles Move Over Act to Begin January 1st, 2011:

The Ambrose-Searles 'Move Over Act' requires drivers to exercise due care to avoid colliding with an authorized emergency vehicle which is parked, stopped or standing on the shoulder of a road or highway with its emergency lights activated. Drivers must reduce speed on all roads when encountering such vehicles, but on parkways, interstates, and other controlled access highways with multiple lanes, drivers are further required to move from the lane immediately adjacent to the emergency vehicle, unless traffic or other hazards exist to prevent doing so safely.

The Ambrose-Searles 'Move Over Act,' is named in honor of New York State Trooper Robert W. Ambrose and Onondaga County Sheriff Deputy Glenn M. Searles who were both killed in the line of duty while their patrol vehicles were stopped on the side of the road, and to honor others who have tragically lost their lives on the highways while serving the public.

A violation of this law is a punishable by a fine of up to $275, plus mandatory court surcharges. It will also result in two points on the driver's license record.

Sources:

New York State Office of Fire Prevention and Control:
http://www.dhses.ny.gov/ofpc/news/press/documents/Ambrose-Searles.pdf

New York State Police:
http://www.troopers.ny.gov/Publications/Traffic_Safety/Move_Over_Palm_Card.pdf