A semiconductor light source drive device includes a semiconductor light source; a switching element that controls a current flowing through the semiconductor light source by being on/off-controlled by a PWM signal provided to the control end; a current detection element that detects a current flowing through the semiconductor light source; a switching power source that supplies power supply voltage to a series connection of the semiconductor light source, the switching element, and the current detection element; a PWM supply circuit supplies the PWM signal and its on-time ratio information; a target value setting part converts the on-time ratio information to a target average current value and outputs the target average current value; and a comparator compares the target average current value with an average current value detected by the current detection element and outputs comparison output to the switching power source as a signal for control.