Gov. John Baldacci proclaimed this week Work Zone Safety Week in a Monday ceremony in his office.

There were 611 vehicle-related crashes in 2006, every one of them preventable, he said.

In the 611 crashes, 23 injuries were reported and one person was killed.

On the cusp of construction season, Baldacci, joined by several agencies and organizations including the Federal Highway Association, Maine Better Transportation and the state Department of Public Safety, urged drivers to slow down in construction zones and be mindful of crew workers, particularly on Maine's interstates.

"We must be vigilant," Baldacci said.

Baldacci also met with Jake Nelson, a fourth-grader from Cape Elizabeth, who designed the winning poster MaineDOT will use in its public service announcements for this particular campaign.

Work Zone Safety Week ends April 12.