As the second England game gets underway today, four Essex content creators are joining the Safer Essex Roads Partnership’s (SERP) Back Your Team campaign this summer, to help take a potentially lifesaving road safety message directly to the young men most at risk on Essex roads.
Just as football fans rally behind England again tonight, Back Your Team is encouraging friends to back each other off the pitch too. Whether that’s taking away car keys, booking a taxi or speaking up when someone is about to make a dangerous decision, the message is simple: real mates look out for each other.
Timed to coincide with the 2026 World Cup, #Back Your Team has been specifically aimed to resonate with young men, who remain significantly overrepresented in drink driving collisions across Essex.
The SERP has teamed up with four Essex based content creators: : Simeone De Cesare, Alexander Cassar, Ronnie Gall and Reid Card.
Collectively reaching hundreds of thousands of young people across social media, the influencers are using their platforms to encourage followers to challenge risky behaviour, support their friends and make safer choices during the tournament.
The influencer activity forms part of the wider #BackYourTeam campaign, which also features Soccer Saturday presenter Simon Thomas. As one of football’s most recognisable broadcasters, Simon is helping to deliver the message that while lots of people will be watching the action on the pitch this summer, friends and family should also be keeping an eye out for dangerous decisions off it.
Simeone De Cesare, Essex content creator and influencer, said: “My dad was involved in a serious hit and run collision by a suspected drink driver that nearly took his life. My dad suffered multiple broken bones, serious facial injuries and the trauma affected our whole family for years afterwards. Seeing the impact it had on him and those around him completely changed the way I think about road safety.”
He added: “I am supporting this campaign because too often people stay quiet when they know a friend is making a dangerous decision. Real mates look out for each other. If someone has been drinking, help them find another way home. It might feel awkward in the moment, but it could save a life.”
The campaign promotes Essex Police’s confidential Report It function, which allows members of the public to discreetly report concerns about suspected drink driving if they feel unable to intervene directly.
Will Cubbin, Safer Essex Roads Partnership Manager, said: “We know that traditional road safety messages do not always cut it with our younger audiences, which is why campaigns like Back Your Team are so important in getting lifesaving information out around the dangers of drink driving. By partnering with Simon Thomas and four Essex influencers who collectively reach hundreds of thousands of people, we’re using familiar voices to deliver an important message.”
He added: “The campaign is simple. Back your team, but back your mates too. If someone is about to make a dangerous decision, don’t stay silent. One conversation, one lift home or one intervention could be the difference between getting home safely and a life ending crash. If you cannot intervene safely, use the Essex Police Report It function confidentially, it could save a life.”
Anyone concerned about suspected drink driving can report it confidentially through Essex Police’s online Report It service or call 999 in an emergency.
Find out more about #BackYourTeam at: www.saferessexroads.org/back-your-team
