Ng Pei Ven claimed trial to the charge under Section 44(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987.
She faces up to 10 years in jail and a fine of up to RM20,000 if found guilty.
The charge was read out to her in Mandarin before magistrate Jamaliah Abd Manap.
Jamaliah set bail at RM7,000 with two sureties.
She fixed May 12 for mention of the case.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Datuk Razali Che Ani prosecuted, while Ng was represented by Parmjit Singh Mahinder.
In the 7.50am incident, Ng, who is said to have been drunk and high on amphetamines, drove her car at high speed against the flow of traffic along the NSE after the Sungai Dua toll on mainland Butterworth and triggered a multi-vehicle collision.
Her Proton Gen 2 struck a Perodua Kelisa driven by Mohamad Fandi Rosli, 26, which led to a chain of collisions. Fandi died at the scene.
Ng and the drivers of four other vehicles sustained minor injuries.
Last week, Ng claimed trial at the magistrate's court to the charge of administering drugs into her body.
She is now out on bail after pleading not guilty to the offence.