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MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Monday’s crash of a school bus from Bolton High School has once again raised the question of whether school buses should have seat belts. The driver and ten students were taken to the hospital. The students were treated and released. The driver, who was wearing a seat belt but was also in the area of greatest impact, is still in the hospital. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has long said buses are the safest method for getting students to and from school. States and school districts can buy school buses equipped with seat belts, though NHTSA has not found them to be any safer. School buses are required to be built much tougher than the average vehicle and absorb more of an impact in a crash. Seat belts add cost to the bus as well as take away seating space and there are concerns students may not be able to get their belt undone after a crash. A design called “compartmentalization” is required by NHTSA, “crash protection is provided by a protective envelope consisting of strong, closely-spaced seats that have energy-absorbing seat backs. ” According to NHTSA, “Small school buses (with a gross vehicle weight rating of 10,000 pounds or less) must be equipped with lap and/or lap/shoulder belts at all designated seating positions.  Since the sizes and weights of small school buses are closer to those of passenger cars and trucks, seat belts in those vehicles are necessary to provide occupant protection.” Fatalities related to school buses tend to be pedestrians, which has led to exterior design changes over the years. NHTSA has set up a website specifically about school bus safety. Tennessee State Highway Patrol tells WREG only special needs buses have seat belts, and when it comes to enforcement, their hands are tied by state law. Jessica Ricotta is a mom to two boys who ride the school bus every day. “It worries me all the time just how easily bus drivers can be distracted,” she said. After hearing about Monday’s serious crash, she was scared and angry. “It’s scary, because you don’t know what’s going to happen,” she said. “You are giving faith to these people that your child is going to be OK, but you’re not totally for sure.” In Tennessee, no standard school buses have seat belts. Neither federal law nor Tennessee state law addresses the issue. Sgt. Chris Richardson said buses are built to withstand an impact better than a car. “Anytime you’re higher off the ground you’re safer,” he said. “Also, school buses use compartmentalization to keep the kids safe. The higher backs on the seats creates more of a cocoon.” However, he said belts could only help. “An additional safety measure, absolutely would make a difference,” he said. WREG called Senate Majority Leader Senator Mark Norris to ask why there’s no state law requiring seat belts. He told us, based on national research, children on school buses are often safer without seat belts so they can escape quicker, if need be. Moms like Ricotta said until there’s change, they won’t feel safe watching school buses pull away with their kids inside. “If you have to have a seatbelt in the car, why wouldn’t you have seat belts on a bus? It’s still a motor vehicle,” Ricotta said. Senator Norris said bus crashes are rare, but after the crash, he may talk with education leaders to see if changes need to be made.