Newtown Police Department is alerting motorists to new pedestrian rules taking effect next month.  The new law, effective October 1st, is meant to help improve communication between pedestrians and drivers and make crossing the street safer for everyone.  Drivers must yield at crosswalks that don’t have traffic lights or a crossing guard if a pedestrian steps to the curb at a crosswalk’s entrance and indicates intent to cross by raising a hand or arm to oncoming traffic. Extension of any body part, cane or walking stick into the crosswalk entrance also indicates intent to cross.