I sort of disagree with this - with the new section complete, the Hilo section getting close to completion, the only difficult portion is adjacent to Parker Ranch - if there isn't too much fog and the driver goes slowly and carefully, the crossing should be quite doable for most good drivers now.

Before the new section, I'd agree with you 100%.

Frankly the worse time to drive Saddle Rd is during the morning or early evening when coastal commuters in their huge pickups are sailing through the Parker Ranch section at dangerously high speeds with little interest for the safety of tourists in rental cars.