Short Slip Roads and Safety Tips

[Kingston1]

I'm 21, passed my driving test about a month ago and I'v also done pass plus.

I'm starting this topic because of a near miss I had on the A3 near Kingston going south, pulling out of a road onto the busy A road. The slip road was really short, and I sped up thinking I would be able to merge with the traffic whilst trying to merge with L1. Suddenly the car in L1 beeped and braked, while I swerved back into the slip road. The car then stopped, flashed it's lights and let me through. This all happened really fast and I am in no doubt that I was an inch away from a serious accident, I feel lucky that the car was able to stop as the traffic there goes at 50mph.

Here's a view of the slip road

https://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=google+maps+south...

I now know that I should've slowed right down and in that situation. (It was night time and quite busy) I definitely had had to stop and wait for as long as I had to for what I judged would be a safe gap to pull into Lane 1.

I now realise the lack of experience I have on the roads, and want to ask the experienced drivers what kinds of things I need to look out for which can cause serious collisions.

Thanks