The invention provides a brake drive and control device for detecting short circuit failure of a switching element. A first switching element is connected to one end of a brake and switches from the off state to the on state when a switch command is input to cause a brake drive current to flow through the brake. A second switching element is connected to the other end of the brake and switches from the off state to the on state when the switch command is input to cause a brake drive current to flow through the brake. A voltage detection unit detects a brake voltage being applied to the brake. A switch command delay unit delays the switch command input to the first switching element. A short circuit determination unit determines whether or not a short circuit has occurred in the first switching element based on the brake voltage and the switch command delayed by the switch command delay unit.