WHILE DRIVING IN BUMPER TO BUMPER TRAFFIC, THE VEHICLE'S BRAKES FAILED. THE PEDAL WAS EXTREMELY HARD TO PRESS WHICH RESULTED IN A REAR END COLLISION. *NLM SUSPECTED THE BRAKE/GAS PEDAL RAISED TO THE SAME LEVEL WHEN SWITCH WAS ACTIVATED, POSSIBLE DEPRESSING BRAKE AND GAS AT THE SAME TIME. (CALIFORNIAHIGHWAY PATROL) *SCC