Stripped screw, safe to drill?

I'm trying to remove the housing on the right side of the handlebar that has the turn signal button, start button, and the engine on/off switch. Problem is I can get 3 of the 4 screws out, but the 4th is stripped badly. Is it safe to use a drill to remove the screw here or is there another way to remove it? It appears as if someone else previously has tried to drill it out but didn't get too far. I'm trying to remove it to get to the front brake stoplight switch. Thanks!

The screw is usually steel and the housing aluminum. So, if the drill slips and usually does, you drill housing. A press and vice may help.

If there is locktite in there, wow! I can only think of trying the press idea at the moment.

If the hole is started dead center of the screw, you may get away with drilling using a drill bit that is smaller than the root pitch of the threads. Electric drills are much too fast for this kind of work. Best results can be had with left-hand drill bit (reverse cutting) and a battery powered screw driver (100 rpm). If it cuts into the threads, or won't back out, use a large drill bit and drill through the head of the screw only. After you get it apart and off, you can use vice grips to remove the remains of the damaged screw.

use a large drill bit and drill through the head of the screw only. After you get it apart and off, you can use vice grips to remove the remains of the damaged screw.

That's what a buddy of mine suggested after he took a look at it. I'll probably give that a shot tomorrow. I'll update when I know more let you guys know how it goes.

I was able to drill the screw out with very minimal damage to the plastic casing, so I'm happy about that! Just need to get a new screw for it.

Good deal. Great work.